Cancer incidence and mortality in workers employed at a transformer manufacturing plant: update to a cohort study. 2003

Annalee Yassi, and Robert B Tate, and Michael Routledge
Institute for Health Promotion Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia.

BACKGROUND This study is an extension of a previously published analysis of cancer mortality in a transformer manufacturing plant where there had been extensive use of mineral oil transformer fluid. The objectives of the present study were to update the mortality analysis and include deaths for the past 6 years as well as to do an analysis of cancer incidence of the cohort. METHODS A cohort of 2,222 males working at a transformer manufacturing plant between 1946 and 1975 was constructed. Using a classical historical cohort study design, cancer incidence and mortality were determined through record linkage with Canadian provincial and national registries. The rates of cancer incidence and mortality experienced by this cohort were compared to that of the Canadian male population. RESULTS A statistically significant increased risk of developing and dying of pancreatic cancer was found but not an increase in overall cancer mortality. This was consistent with the previous report from this group. Interestingly, the cohort demonstrated a statistically significant risk of overall cancer incidence and specific increased incidence of gallbladder cancer. CONCLUSIONS This study contributes further evidence to the growing body of literature indicating the carcinogenic properties of mineral oils used in occupational settings, in particular those used prior to 1970s.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007219 Industrial Oils Oils which are used in industrial or commercial applications. Commercial Oils,Polishes,Oils, Industrial,Commercial Oil,Industrial Oil,Oil, Commercial,Oil, Industrial,Oils, Commercial
D007221 Industry Any enterprise centered on the processing, assembly, production, or marketing of a line of products, services, commodities, or merchandise, in a particular field often named after its principal product. Examples include the automobile, fishing, music, publishing, insurance, and textile industries. Tertiary Sector,Industries,Sector, Tertiary,Sectors, Tertiary,Tertiary Sectors
D008297 Male Males
D008545 Melanoma A malignant neoplasm derived from cells that are capable of forming melanin, which may occur in the skin of any part of the body, in the eye, or, rarely, in the mucous membranes of the genitalia, anus, oral cavity, or other sites. It occurs mostly in adults and may originate de novo or from a pigmented nevus or malignant lentigo. Melanomas frequently metastasize widely, and the regional lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and brain are likely to be involved. The incidence of malignant skin melanomas is rising rapidly in all parts of the world. (Stedman, 25th ed; from Rook et al., Textbook of Dermatology, 4th ed, p2445) Malignant Melanoma,Malignant Melanomas,Melanoma, Malignant,Melanomas,Melanomas, Malignant
D008899 Mineral Oil A mixture of liquid hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum. It is used as laxative, lubricant, ointment base, and emollient. Liquid Paraffin,Petrolatum, Liquid,Drakeol,Vaseline Oil,Liquid Petrolatum,Oil, Mineral,Oil, Vaseline,Paraffin, Liquid
D009784 Occupational Diseases Diseases caused by factors involved in one's employment. Diseases, Occupational,Occupational Illnesses,Disease, Occupational,Illnesse, Occupational,Illnesses, Occupational,Occupational Disease,Occupational Illnesse
D010190 Pancreatic Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the PANCREAS. Depending on the types of ISLET CELLS present in the tumors, various hormones can be secreted: GLUCAGON from PANCREATIC ALPHA CELLS; INSULIN from PANCREATIC BETA CELLS; and SOMATOSTATIN from the SOMATOSTATIN-SECRETING CELLS. Most are malignant except the insulin-producing tumors (INSULINOMA). Cancer of Pancreas,Pancreatic Cancer,Cancer of the Pancreas,Neoplasms, Pancreatic,Pancreas Cancer,Pancreas Neoplasms,Pancreatic Acinar Carcinoma,Pancreatic Carcinoma,Acinar Carcinoma, Pancreatic,Acinar Carcinomas, Pancreatic,Cancer, Pancreas,Cancer, Pancreatic,Cancers, Pancreas,Cancers, Pancreatic,Carcinoma, Pancreatic,Carcinoma, Pancreatic Acinar,Carcinomas, Pancreatic,Carcinomas, Pancreatic Acinar,Neoplasm, Pancreas,Neoplasm, Pancreatic,Neoplasms, Pancreas,Pancreas Cancers,Pancreas Neoplasm,Pancreatic Acinar Carcinomas,Pancreatic Cancers,Pancreatic Carcinomas,Pancreatic Neoplasm
D011996 Records Works on authentic evidence, of something having legal importance. The concept includes certificates of birth, death, etc., as well as hospital, medical, and other institutional records. Records as Topic,Personal Identification Systems,Travel Documents,Documents, Travel,Identification Systems, Personal,Personal Identification System,Record,Records as Topics
D002170 Canada The largest country in North America, comprising 10 provinces and three territories. Its capital is Ottawa.
D004067 Digestive System Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. Cancer of Digestive System,Digestive System Cancer,Cancer of the Digestive System,Neoplasms, Digestive System,Cancer, Digestive System,Cancers, Digestive System,Digestive System Cancers,Digestive System Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Digestive System

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