Mortality Study of Pesticide Manufacturers/Formulators: Documentation of the Velsicol Chemical Company, Memphis, Tennessee Cohort

摘要

The effects of pesticide exposure were studied in workers employed at the Vesicol Chemical Company (SIC-2879) in Memphis, Tennessee. Data was collected including a list of jobs and departments and work histories. The study group comprised workers with at least 6 months of factory experience prior to the end of 1964. Workers were classified into four study cohorts comprising all workers employed for 6 months or more. Standardized mortality ratios workers employed for 6, 12, or 36 months or more. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were measured according to exposure. As exposure length increased SMR increased substantially. For all malignant neoplasms, SMRs were 91, 95, 100 and 110 percent in cohorts 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. For neoplasms of the respiratory system SMRs were 122, 128, 133 and 146 percent in cohort 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Three deaths occurred from malignant neoplasms of the respiratory system, after 10 and 20 years of employment. The authors conclude that the data is not complete and recommend that measures be taken to complete it. If this is not possible, the cohorts should be followed up and the data reexamined.