Mortality Among Members of a Heavy Construction Equipment Operators Union with Potential Exposure to Diesel Exhaust Emissions

摘要

An historical prospective mortality study was conducted by Environmental Health Associates on a cohort of 34,156 male members of a heavy construction equipment operators union with potential exposure to diesel exhaust emissions. This cohort comprised all individuals who were members of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Locals 3 and 3A, for at least one year between January 1, 1964, and December 31, 1978. The mortality experience of the entire cohort and several subcohorts was compared to that of the US white males, adjusted for age and calendar time. The comparison statistic was the commonly used Standardized Mortality Ratio. Historical environmental measurements did not exist, but partial work histories were available for some cohort members through the union dispatch computer tapes. An attempt was made to relate mortality experience to the union members' dispatch histories.