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Mortality among workers exposed to carbon disulfide
1Health and Safety Studies Unit, Ontario Ministry of Labour, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Archives of Environmental Health
|May 1, 1996
Summary
Mortality analysis of viscose rayon workers exposed to carbon disulfide showed fewer ischemic heart disease deaths but an increased risk of stroke, particularly in older workers with high exposure. Further investigation is needed to confirm a causal link.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Toxicology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Viscose rayon production involves carbon disulfide, a chemical with known health risks.
- Previous studies have suggested associations between carbon disulfide exposure and cardiovascular diseases.
- Understanding the specific mortality patterns in exposed worker populations is crucial for occupational health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mortality experience of workers at a viscose rayon plant (Plant A) compared to a pulp and paper plant (Plant B).
- To analyze the association between occupational exposure to carbon disulfide and mortality from ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease.
- To evaluate the risk of stroke in relation to duration of employment in high-carbon-disulfide exposure areas.
Main Methods:
- A proportional mortality analysis was conducted comparing deceased workers from Plant A and Plant B with the general Ontario population.
- Case-control analysis was used to assess the risk of ischemic heart disease and stroke in relation to occupational exposure.
- Subgroup analysis focused on workers with high-carbon-disulfide exposure, particularly those aged 65 years or older.
Main Results:
- Both plants showed lower-than-expected deaths from ischemic heart disease but higher-than-expected deaths from cerebrovascular disease.
- In Plant A, workers in high-carbon-disulfide areas had lower ischemic heart disease mortality, but increased stroke mortality, especially among those aged 65+.
- The risk of stroke was significantly increased in older, high-exposure Plant A workers compared to other Plant A workers.
Conclusions:
- The study suggests a complex relationship between carbon disulfide exposure and cardiovascular mortality.
- While ischemic heart disease risk appeared lower, stroke risk was elevated in specific high-exposure subgroups, particularly among older workers.
- The findings warrant further investigation into a potential causal role of carbon disulfide exposure in cerebrovascular disease, although chance findings cannot be excluded.