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Cause-specific mortality among Rhode Island jewelry workers
1Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH.
American Journal of Industrial Medicine
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Mortality patterns in jewelry workers showed elevated risks for kidney disease, liver cancer, and drug dependence in males, and stomach cancer and drug dependence in females. These findings suggest potential links to occupational exposures and socioeconomic factors.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Epidemiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Jewelry manufacturing involves exposure to various chemicals, including heavy metals and solvents.
- Previous studies have indicated potential health risks associated with specific chemical exposures in industrial settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine cause-specific mortality patterns among Rhode Island jewelry manufacturing workers.
- To identify elevated proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) for specific causes of death in this occupational group.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the proportionate mortality ratio (PMR) method.
- Analyzed death certificate data from Rhode Island jewelry manufacturing workers between 1968 and 1978.
Main Results:
- Males exhibited elevated PMRs for nonmalignant kidney disease, liver cancer, drug dependence, and accidental poisonings (often drug-related).
- Females showed elevated PMRs for stomach cancer, peptic ulcer disease, skin diseases, and drug dependence.
- Specific chemical exposures like heavy metals and solvents were hypothesized as potential contributors to observed mortality patterns.
Conclusions:
- The study identified elevated mortality risks for specific diseases and conditions among jewelry manufacturing workers.
- Potential links between occupational exposures (e.g., solvents, heavy metals) and observed mortality patterns were suggested.
- Further research is recommended to investigate specific occupational exposures and their impact on worker health.