Mortality from tumours in workers in an acrylic fibre factory

A retrospective epidemiological cohort study of mortality was undertaken in 671 workers with at least 12 months' exposure to acrylonitrile (AN) in an acrylic fibre factory at Porto Marghera, Venezia; 571 subjects had simultaneous exposure to dimethylacetamide (DMA). Observed mortality in the cohort was compared with expected mortality, calculated on the basis of the mortality rates of the general population in the Veneto region. A statistically significant excess was found in the mortality rate from intestinal and colon tumours (SMR = 10.5, 4 observed). However, this finding was significant only in subgroups with 1 to 4 years exposure or 1 to 9 years latency. It is therefore concluded that there is no relationship between AN and/or DMA exposure and mortality from tumours of the colon and intestine.