Authors
Stayner-L; Steenland-K; Greife-A; Hornung-R; Hayes-RB; Nowlin-S; Morawetz-J; Ringenburg-V; Elliot-L; Halperin-W
Source
Am J Epidemiol 1993 Nov; 138(10):787-798
Abstract
The relationship between cancer mortality and the individual estimates of exposure to ethylene-oxide (75218) (EtO) determined using an industrial hygiene based model was studied. The study population included workers from 13 of 14 geographically distinct facilities which had been included in an earlier study. EtO was used regularly to sterilize medical equipment at these facilities beginning between 1938 and 1966 and being used continually through December of 1987. Cancer mortality was examined in three categories of cumulative exposure to EtO. In both the life table analysis and the Cox model, there was a positive trend established in all lymphatic and hematopoietic cancer mortality for cumulative EtO mortality. When exposures to EtO at 10 years prior to death were discounted, and when the analysis was restricted to neoplasms of lymphoid cell origin, the trend appeared to strengthen. The authors conclude that their findings provide support for the hypothesis that EtO exposure increases the risk of mortality resulting from lymphatic and hematopoietic neoplasms. They suggest that the study be continued for follow up using this relatively young cohort.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; Cancer-rates; Risk-analysis; Health-care-personnel; Laboratory-workers; Carcinogens; Epidemiology; Mortality-surveys; Occupational-exposure; Alkylating-agents
Document Type
Journal Article
Source Name
American Journal of Epidemiology