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- Title
Cancer incidence among short- and long-term workers in the Norwegian silicon carbide industry.
- Authors
Bugge, Merete Drevvatne; Med, Cand; Kjuus, Helge; Martinsen, Jan Ivar; Kjærheim, Kristina
- Abstract
Objectives A previous study among workers in the Norwegian silicon carbide industry, followed until 1996, revealed an excess incidence of lung and total cancer. The present study adds nine years of follow-up and focuses on cancer risk among short- and long-term workers, based on the assumption that these two groups have different exposure and lifestyle characteristics. Methods The total cohort for this study comprised 2612 men employed for >6 months between 1913-2003. The follow-up period for cancer was 1953-2005. Short-term workers were defined as having <3 years of total employment in the industry. We estimated standardized incidence ratios (SIR) using national rates as the expected values. Results Among the short-term workers, we observed an overall excess incidence of cancer [SIR 1.4, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.2-1.6], with an excess of lung cancer (SIR 2.6, 95% CI 1.9-3.5) as the most important contributing factor. The long-term workers also had an excess incidence of total cancer (SIR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.3) and lung cancer (SIR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.2). We observed an increased risk of cancers at other sites, specifically among short-term workers. Conclusions We observed an increased risk of cancer (especially in the lung but also at other sites) among both short- and long-term workers. Dust exposure in the silicon carbide industry may have contributed to the increased risk among long-term workers, whereas the increased risk among short-term workers may be due to a combination of occupational and lifestyle factors.
- Subjects
WORK environment research; JOB classification; OCCUPATIONAL diseases; SILICON carbide; INDUSTRIAL hygiene; INTERNATIONAL trade
- Publication
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 2010, Vol 36, Issue 1, p71
- ISSN
0355-3140
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.5271/sjweh.2875