Analysis of mortality from nephritis and nephrosis among nickel-cadmium battery workers

Mortality from nephritis and nephrosis (and other diseases of the genitourinary system) experienced by a study cohort of 3,025 nickel-cadmium battery workers was investigated. Observed (O) numbers of deaths from these diseases for the period 1946 through 1981 were compared with those that might be expected (E) to occur on the basis of rates of mortality for the general population of England and Wales (nephritis and nephrosis, International Classification of Diseases, eighth revision [ICD 8th] Code No. 580-584; E = 5.49, O = 10: all disease of the genitourinary system (noncancers), ICD 8th 580-629; E = 11.50, O = 17). These differences were not statistically significant at the 5% level. When the estimated cadmium exposures of those who died from these causes were compared with those of all matching survivors using the method of regression models in life-tables, no statistically significant association was found between occupational exposure to cadmium and mortality from these diseases. A separate analysis was made of the mortality experience of 39 workers with cadmium nephropathy.