Mortality among rubber workers: X. Reclaim workers.

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Epidemiology
• Toxicology

Background:

• The rubber industry involves various manufacturing processes, including reclaiming, which may pose distinct occupational health risks.
• Previous studies have indicated potential links between rubber manufacturing and increased cancer risks, necessitating further investigation into specific divisions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the mortality experience of workers in a rubber-reclaiming division.
• To identify potential cancer risks associated with employment in rubber reclaiming operations.

Main Methods:

• A cohort study design was employed, comparing mortality rates of 1,352 white and 438 nonwhite rubber reclaim workers with non-reclaim workers and general population data.
• Specific cancer sites, including esophageal, bladder, multiple myeloma, and lung cancer, were analyzed using rate ratios.

Main Results:

• White reclaim workers showed elevated rate ratios for esophageal cancer (2.7), bladder cancer (2.1), and multiple myeloma (4.5) compared to non-reclaim workers.
• Excess bladder cancer risk in white workers may be linked to other plant exposures, but esophageal cancer and multiple myeloma excesses lacked clear explanations.
• Lung cancer mortality rates were similar for white reclaim workers and the general white male population, but nonwhite reclaim workers experienced a 50% excess of lung cancer deaths.

Conclusions:

• Rubber reclaiming operations are associated with increased risks of esophageal cancer, bladder cancer, and multiple myeloma in white workers.
• While lung cancer risk was not elevated for white workers, a potential increase was observed in nonwhite workers, though this finding requires more data for confirmation.