Mortality patterns of US female construction workers by race, 1979-1990

In 1990, the US construction industry employed 7.6 million workers, of whom 8% were women. Only one epidemiologic study for women employed in the construction industry was previously published. We analyzed usual occupation and industry codes on death certificates from 28 states between 1979 and 1990 to evaluate mortality patterns among both black and white female construction industry workers. Proportionate mortality for cancer and several other chronic diseases was significantly elevated among 2,273 white female and 197 black female construction workers. White women younger than age 65 at death had significantly elevated proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) for all cancer, lung cancer, and traumatic fatalities. Black women younger than age 65 at death had a significantly elevated PMR for traumatic fatalities. Elevated mortality for specific cancer sites and other diseases was observed for white and black women employed in construction trades. These results suggest that more detailed investigations that include women and other minorities should be undertaken.