Mortality and cancer incidence among Queensland coal mine workers: a retrospective cohort

To quantify mortality and cancer incidence among Queensland coal mine workers.

A cohort of coal mine workers from Queensland was linked to Australian national death and cancer registries for the period 1983-2020. Standardised mortality (SMR) and cancer incidence (SIR) ratios were calculated for men and women compared with Australian rates. Accidental deaths, suicides and melanoma incidence were also compared with Queensland rates.

There were 4957 deaths among 164 622 men and 211 among 24 389 women. Overall mortality was lower than the national population for men (SMR 81 (95% CI 78 to 83)) and women (SMR 75 (95% CI 65 to 86)) and for all mine types. Mortality was significantly decreased for most death categories. Male suicide mortality was significantly increased compared with the national population, but not when compared with Queensland population rates.There were 5492 men and 406 women with cancer. Overall cancer incidence was higher than the national population for men (SIR 107 (95% CI 104 to 109)) but not for women (SIR 99 (95% CI 90 to 108)). There were increased risks for melanoma, lip, lung, bladder and gallbladder cancers compared with the general Australian population for men and women, but the numbers of women were small. When compared with Queensland rates, the overall risk of melanoma was not increased.

Consistent with the healthy worker effect, overall mortality was lower in this cohort. Cancer incidence was increased for men, but not women. The increased cancer risks highlight the need for further investigation.