An occupational cohort mortality study of women in the German rubber industry: 1976 to 1991

Few previous studies of workers in the rubber industry have focused on wome n. We examined patterns of mortality among 2871 women employed in one of fi ve German rubber plants for at least I year on or after January 1, 1976, an d observed through December 31, 1991. All-causes mortality was near that ex pected (standardized mortality ratio [lsqbSMR] 101; 95% confidence interval [CI], 87 to 118), but cancer mortality was decreased (SMR, 90; 95% CI, 70 to 115). Nevertheless, excesses were observed for mortality from stomach ca ncer (SMR, 156; 95% CI, 63 to 322), lung cancer (SMR, 140; 95% CI, TG to 28 9), and lymphatic system cancers (SMR, 175; 95% CI, 48 to 448). Stronger as sociations were observed among sub-cohorts defined by time period hired. De spite limited numbers of deaths; modest excesses of mortality due to specif ic cancers were observed and are consistent with previous studies.