Occupational bladder cancer mortality among racial and ethnic minorities in 21 states

Background Occupational bladder cancer mortality among minority racial/ethn ic groups is not well described compared to occupational bladder cancer mor tality among non-minority males in the United States. Methods Race/ethnicity- and sex-specific bladder cancer mortality (1985-199 2) of workers employed in 21 states was examined using a proportionate mort ality study design. Mortality of specific racial/ethnic/occupational groups was compared separately with workers in the specific occupation and with m embers of the specific racial/ethnic group. Results This study identified elevated bladder cancer mortality among Afric an American males and females and Latino males in several occupational grou ps with exposure to suspected bladder carcinogens as well as among Asian ma les in sales (PMR = 2.13) and Asian females in the personal services indust ry (PMR = 5.25; CI: 1.64-16.75). Conclusion Surveillance of occupational cancer risks among racial/ethnic mi norities rising regularly available death certificate data is facilitated w hen scares code both usual occupation/industry and race/ethnicity. Am. J. I nd. Med. 38:90-98, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.