Cohort mortality study of 57 000 painters and other union members: a 15 year update

Objectives-To study mortality patterns in the largest existing cohort of pa inters. Methods-15 years of follow up were added to a study of 42 170 paint ers and 14 316 non-painters based on union records. There were 23 458 death s, compared with 5313 in the earlier follow up. Results-Comparisons with the United States population showed significantly increased rates in painters for lung cancer (standardised mortality ratio ( SMR) 1.23, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.17 to 1.29), bladder cancer ( SMR 1.23, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.43), Liver cancer (SMR 1.25, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.50 ), and stomach cancer (SMR 1.39, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.59). However, in direct c omparisons with non-painters only the excesses for lung cancer (SRR 1.23, 9 5% CI 1.11 to 1.35, increasing to 1.32, 95% CI 16 to 1.93 with 20 years lat ency) and bladder cancer (SRR 1.77, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.77) were confirmed. So me confounding by smoking may affect these two outcomes, particularly with external referents. Cirrhosis of the liver was increased for both painters and non-painters (SMRs 1.21, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.35, and 1.26, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.51, respectively), possibly indicating high alcohol consumption. Suicide (SMR 1.21, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.38) and homicide (SMR 1.36, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.75 ) were increased for painters but not for non-painters; neuropsychiatric di seases have been associated with painters in earlier studies. Conclusions-The results suggest modest occupational risks for lung and blad der cancer; these results are consistent with existing publications. The In ternational Agency for Research on Cancer has classified painting as an occ upation definitely associated with cancer.