This report presents the results of proportionate mortality ratio (PMR
) analyses and proportionate cancer mortality ratio (PCMR) analyses am
ong the 11,685 members of the Laborers' International Union of North A
merica (LIUNA), who died between 1985-1988, using U.S. proportionate m
ortality rates as the comparison population. Statistically significant
elevated mortality risks were observed for all malignant neoplasms (N
= 3285, PMR = 1.13, CI = 1.09-1.17), as well as for site-specific neo
plasms of the lung (N = 1208, PCMR = 1.06, CI = 1.00-1.12), stomach (N
= 170, PCMR = 1.44, CI = 1.23-1.68), and thyroid gland (N = 10, PCMR
= 2.24, CI = 1.07-4.12). The PCMRs for these malignant neoplasms were
elevated among both white and nonwhite males, regardless of length of
union membership, in most 10-year categories of age at death above 40
and for the three largest LIUNA regions examined. The study also obser
ved 20 mesothelioma deaths, which indicated that some LIUNA members ha
d been previously exposed to asbestos. Statistically significant eleva
ted risks were also observed for deaths from transportation injuries (
N = 448, PMR = 1.37, CI = 1.25-1.51), falls (N = 85, PMR = 1.34, CI =
1.07-1.66), and other types of injuries (N = 245, PMR = 1.61, CI = 1.4
2-1.83). The deaths due to injuries were most often observed among tho
se members who had the shortest amount of time within the union, were
younger, and first entered the union after 1955. This is the first stu
dy that has examined the general mortality experience limited to const
ruction laborers only (Bureau of Census code 869). (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss
, Inc.