Mortality of a municipal worker cohort: I. Males

A retrospective cohort mortality study was conducted on 11,499 full-time municipal employees of the City of Buffalo, New York, who were employed at least one day between January 1, 1950 and October 1, 1979 and worked a minimum of five years. This paper outlines the method of the study and presents the all cause and cause-specific mortality for the male cohort of 10,128. Statistically significant deficits in mortality are seen for infectious diseases, diseases of the circulatory system, diseases of the respiratory system, and all external causes. Statistically significant increased mortality is seen for both malignant and benign neoplasms. All cause mortality was significantly lower than expected for professional, manager, and clerical workers. White-collar workers exhibit a decreased risk of mortality from all diseases of the circulatory system, all diseases of the respiratory system, and all external causes of death. No statistically significant increased or decreased risk of mortality from specific cancer sites is seen for white-collar workers. Blue-collar workers show statistically significant deficits in mortality from infectious diseases, all diseases of the circulatory system, all respiratory diseases, and all external causes. Blue-collar workers exhibit statistically significant increases for benign and malignant neoplasms and in particular, malignant neoplasms of the esophagus, large intestine, and rectum. The meaning of these findings will be clarified through analyses of specific worker groups.