Cardiac morbidity and mortality associated with occupational exposure to 1,2 propylene glycol dinitrate

Myocardial infarction and angina pectoris are conditions long associated with occupational exposure to nitroglycerin and related explosives. Cardiac sentinel events in selected munitions workers exposed to the related nitrated ester 1,2 propylene glycol dinitrate were identified and studied. Potentially exposed workers experienced significantly increased relative morbidity compared with control groups. There was no difference in hospitalizations for cardiac arrhythmias. The only cardiovascular mortality occurred in the control groups. The total number of cases was small. Possible sources of bias and causal speculations are discussed.