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Cancer in printing workers in Denmark
E Lynge1, B A Rix, E Villadsen
1Danish Cancer Society, København O, Denmark.
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|November 1, 1995
Summary
Printing workers showed increased risks for lung, bladder, kidney, and liver cancers. Rotary letterpress work was linked to lung cancer, and lithography to liver cancer, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Epidemiology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- The printing industry has historically been associated with potential health risks due to chemical exposures.
- Previous studies have suggested links between printing work and certain cancers, but findings have been inconsistent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cancer incidence among printing workers in Denmark.
- To identify specific cancer types and occupational subgroups at increased risk.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 15,534 men and 3,593 women in the Danish printing industry (1970-1987) was followed for cancer incidence.
- Cancer rates were compared to the general economically active population in Denmark.
- Smoking and drinking habits were compared between printing trade union members and other trade union members.
Main Results:
- Elevated incidence of lung, bladder, renal pelvis, and primary liver cancers was observed in printing workers.
- Specific roles like newspaper/magazine production workers (lung), typographers (bladder), typographers/lithographers (renal pelvis), and lithographers/bookbinders (liver) showed increased risks.
- Excess cancer risks exceeded those attributable to reported smoking and drinking habits.
Conclusions:
- Work involving rotary letterpress printing is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.
- The risk of bladder cancer may be confined to specific subgroups within the printing industry.
- A significantly higher risk of primary liver cancer among Danish lithographers necessitates international studies.