Brain Cancer in Workers Employed at a Specialty Chemical Research Facility

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated unique exposures and their relationship to brain cancer mortality in employees of a specialty chemical research facility. Following an exposure assessment that concerned compounds distinct to this facility, the authors conducted a cohort mortality study of 5,284 workers to assess mortality in reference to the general population and a nested case-control study to evaluate brain cancer risk associated with specific jobs and unique chemical exposures. Four hundred eighty-six deaths, including 14 brain cancer deaths, were identified. Overall mortality was lower than expected. Brain cancer mortality was elevated (standardized mortality ratio [SMR] = 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11–3.40). Exposures to 5 specific chemical categories were assessed. Exploration of work history and the specific chemical exposures did not explain the brain cancer cases. No clear occupational etiology was identified.

KEYWORDS:

• brain cancer
• mortality
• occupational exposure
• specialty chemical industry

Acknowledgments

This project was supported by a research grant to the University of Minnesota from Rohm and Haas Company, which is owned by Dow Chemical Company. The authors had sole responsibility and authority for the study design, analysis, results, conclusions, and preparation of the manuscript. The research team had full access to all records requested for the study.

The authors thank Alissa Kreft, Terry Ragsdale, Richard Hoffbeck, and Diane Kampa for assistance with the study.