Case-Control Study of Leukemia among Federal Employees at the Blue Grass Ordnance Depot

摘要

The incidence of leukemia among workers at the Blue Grass Ordnance Depot (SIC-2892) in Madison County, Kentucky was investigated. The depot stored and disposed of munitions, explosives, and toxic nerve gas agents. Hospital records were obtained for all cases of leukemia diagnosed between 1969 and 1978 in Madison County and seven contiguous counties, and the comparison cases were selected for each leukemia case. Employment data was obtained from Depot records and from the National Personnel Record Center. Odds ratios were calculated to determine any relationship between employment at the Depot and incidence of leukemia. Forty one cases of leukemia among Madison County residents were identified, along with 106 matched comparisons. Nine cases and 14 comparisons had been employed at the Depot for some time between 1942 and 1978. The odds ratio was 6.7 for persons hired before November, 1943, compared to 0.6 for those hired after November, 1945. During the two intervening years (when the Depot was under contractor control) the odds ratio was 4.1. The authors conclude that there is an increased risk of leukemia among Depot workers hired before November, 1945, but no specific source of exposure could be identified.