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Cancer mortality among laundry and dry cleaning workers
J T Walker1, C A Burnett, N R Lalich
1National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA.
American Journal of Industrial Medicine
|November 14, 1997
Summary
Cancer mortality risks were elevated for laundry and dry cleaning workers, particularly among Black men for total cancer and esophageal cancer, and White men for laryngeal cancer.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Epidemiology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Laundry and dry cleaning industries employ numerous workers exposed to various chemicals.
- Previous studies suggest potential links between this occupation and increased cancer risk.
- Understanding specific cancer mortality patterns is crucial for worker protection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cancer mortality patterns among laundry and dry cleaning workers.
- To identify specific cancer types with elevated mortality in this occupational group.
- To inform public health interventions for worker safety.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cohort study analyzing 8,163 deaths among laundry and dry cleaning workers across 28 states (1979-1990).
- Calculation of age-adjusted sex-race cause-specific proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) and proportionate cancer mortality ratios (PCMRs).
- Comparison of observed mortality rates against 28-state mortality data.
Main Results:
- Excess total cancer mortality and esophageal cancer observed in Black men (PMR=130 and PMR=215, respectively).
- Elevated laryngeal cancer mortality identified in White men (PMR=318).
- Non-significant excesses noted for lung cancer in Black women and genital cancers in White women.
Conclusions:
- Specific cancer types show elevated mortality in laundry and dry cleaning workers, varying by sex and race.
- Findings underscore the necessity of implementing existing control measures to safeguard worker health.
- Further research and occupational safety interventions are recommended for this industry.
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