Mortality and cancer incidence among sawmill workers exposed to chlorophenate wood preservatives.

• DOI: 10.2105/ajph.87.1.71
• Publication Date: 2008-11-29T13:30:23Z
• Authors: C Hertzman; K Teschke; A Ostry; R Hershler; H Dimich-Ward; S Kelly; J J Spinelli; R P Gallagher; M McBride; S A Marion
• Keywords: Standardized mortality ratio; Cancer Incidence

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the association between exposure to chlorophenates and risk of soft tissue sarcoma; non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; Hodgkin's disease; cancers lung, nose, nasopharynx. METHODS: A retrospective cohort was conducted 26487 workers employed for at least 1 year 1950 1985 in 11 chlorophenate-using 3 non-using sawmills British Columbia, Canada. Exposures by job were ascertained with interviews senior employees. RESULTS: Probabilistic record linkage Canadian Mortality Data Base Columbia Cancer Registry found 4710 deaths 1990, 1547 incident cases cancer 1969 1989. None interest had elevated mortality related chlorophenate exposure. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma incidence (n = 65) increased increasing hours, yielding following standardized ratios: less than 120 hours 0.68; 1999 0.59; 2000 3999 1.04; 4000 9999 1.02; 10000 or more 1.30. CONCLUSIONS: These results are consistent borderline positive associations seen other recently reported studies chlorophenate-exposed workforces.