Cohort study of mortality among farmers and agricultural workers

A cohort study was made of the mortality experience of 1701 male and 426 female farm workers (Aprilia, Italy) during the period 1972-1988. A low overall mortality was found due mainly to a decreased risk of circulatory diseases and respiratory conditions. Also, the overall cancer mortality was reduced (SMR = 0.88 for males and 0.58 for females). No statistically significant excesses were observed in cancer mortality, but there was an evident tendency towards an increased risk of gastric cancer (0 = 23, SMR = 1.24), renal cancer (0 = 5, SMR = 2.12), skin cancer (0 = 2, SMR = 1.67) and leukemia (0 = 6, SMR = 1.54), mainly of the myeloid type. Finally, 41 lung cancer cases were observed against 40.12 expected. Under 65 years excess deaths were found for all cancer sites investigated except cancer of the lymphatic and hemopoietic tissues. Since farmers usually have a low lung cancer rate, the increased mortality in the young age group (0 = 24, SMR = 1.28) and also the excess of kidney cancer (0 = 4, SMR = 3.67), although not statistically significant, deserve consideration in relation to past exposure to pesticides, especially DDT, in this population.