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Cancer incidence among boat-building workers exposed to styrene
Avima M Ruder1, Stephen J Bertke1
1Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio.
American Journal of Industrial Medicine
|June 16, 2017
Summary
This study found that while overall cancer incidence was lower in a styrene-exposed boat-builder cohort, higher exposure levels were linked to increased cancer risk. This suggests styrene exposure may be associated with cancer, even before the median age of diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Epidemiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Analysis of cancer incidence in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) boat-builders cohort.
- Focus on exposure to styrene, a chemical classified as a possible human carcinogen.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between styrene exposure and cancer incidence within the NIOSH boat-builders cohort.
- To determine if styrene exposure poses a significant cancer risk to workers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized standardized incidence ratios (SIR) and standardized rate ratios (SRR) for analysis.
- Employed national and Washington State cancer rates.
- Conducted a person-years analysis for a cohort of 3704 workers.
Main Results:
- Overall cancer incidence was significantly reduced (SIR: 0.83).
- Internal comparisons indicated a higher cancer rate with increased styrene exposure (SRR: 1.28).
- 516 first primary cancer diagnoses were recorded between 1991 and 2007.
Conclusions:
- Evidence suggests a link between styrene exposure and increased cancer incidence.
- The observed association is significant as the cohort has not yet reached the median age of cancer diagnosis in the US.
- Further research into styrene's carcinogenicity in occupational settings is warranted.
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