Lymphopoietic cancer and other major causes of death among petrochemical researchers: an update

This study updates lymphopoietic cancer (LHC) mortality statistics and othe r major causes of death through 1992 for 13,188 petrochemical researchers e mployed between 1964 and 1986. Significant deficits of deaths were observed for all causes, all cancers, ischaemic heart disease and all external caus es. The subcategory of 'all other LHC' was elevated among males in an expos ure class containing scientists and engineers; This finding was statistical ly significant based on national but not state comparison rates. Poisson re gression analyses showed that increasing exposure classes were not associat ed with LHC, but a relationship was noted for total years worked. A non-sig nificant increase in breast cancer among females was also observed but was concentrated among the lowest exposure class. This study and other similar investigations suggest various subcategories of LHC deaths are marginally e levated among chemical researchers and engineers. Evidence for a work-relat ed LHC hazard for this population, however, has not been identified.