Report on the Mortality Experience of Pennsylvania Workers 1983 through 1985

摘要

A study was made of 3 years of Pennsylvania mortality data to assess associations between groupings of causes of death, industries, and occupations. Data were derived from State Health Data Center mortality files for 1983 through 1985. Items included race, sex, age, underlying cause of death, industry, and occupation coded from Pennsylvania death certificates. Cause of death was determined using the Automated Classification of Medical Entities system, and occupation and industry information was coded using Bureau of the Census Alphabetical Index of Industry and Occupation. Race/sex specific associations between work experience and cause of death with significantly elevated proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) were summarized. Analysis included 315 occupation groups, 263 industry groups, and 168 underlying causes of death. Elevated PMRs with exceedance probabilities of 1 percent or less were found for 1034 of 18527 tested occupation associations and 931 of 19698 tested industry associations. Expected associations such as coal mining and coalworkers' pneumoconiosis, motor vehicle accidents and truck drivers, and homicide and policemen were noted. Associations between multiple myeloma and nine work experiences were discussed. It is stated that associations tested are not sufficient to establish causal relationships but may be useful beyond hypothesis generation. They are statistically significant whether they are due to an agent in the workplace, socioeconomic factors, or some other unknown factor.