Cancer morbidity among woodworkers in the U.S. automotive industry

In October 1979, concern was expressed about suspected excess cancer among woodworkers in several automobile manufacturing plants of the major automobile corporations located in Detroit. Cancer incidence rates for this group were compared with corresponding data for white males in the Detroit metropolitan area. Determination of standardized morbidity ratios (SMRs) showed significant increases for all types of cancer combined and for colorectal and salivary gland cancer in the study group. Further investigation is required to determine whether occupational exposure is responsible for these increases or if some other etiological mechanism is operating.