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Biomedical subjects

J Walrath

Publications and source records attributed to J Walrath.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

A survey of the prevalence of epididymitis in an industrial setting.

In response to concerns about the occurrence of epididymitis among employees at a Du Pont textile fibers plant, information was obtained from 1342 (94.8%) active male employees on history of epididymitis and/or orchitis (6.8%), prostatitis (11.5%), other genitourinary conditions, and vasectomy. Vasectomy was associated with an odds ratio of 3.26 (90% confidence interval (CI) = 1.96, 5.43) for subsequent development of epididymitis. History of prostatitis was also a risk factor for epididymitis (odds ratio = 5.02, 90% CI = 2.94, 8.58).

Delaware↗
PubMed1989

A case-control study of cancer among du pont employees with potential for exposure to dimethylformamide.

This case-control study was undertaken to determine whether the risk of developing cancers of the buccal cavity and pharynx (N = 39), liver (N = 6), prostate (N = 43), testis (N = 11), or malignant melanoma of the skin (N = 39) is related to exposure to dimethylformamide (DMF). Case and control subjects were obtained from four Du Pont plants. DMF is produced at one plant and used at the other three. Cancer cases identified from the company Cancer Registry comprise those reported among active male employees at the study plants during 1956 to 1985. For each case, two control subjects were selected, matched on sex, payroll class (wage or salary), birth year, and plant. To determine whether an employee could have been exposed to DMF during his career at the plant, all jobs with potential for exposure to DMF were identified. Each job was assigned an exposure ranking based on DMF industrial hygiene air monitoring, DMF metabolite (measured as N-methylformamide in urine) monitoring, and knowledge of the evolution of manufacturing processes and workplace exposure controls. Each employee's DMF exposure pattern was then characterized as (a) ever v never having been exposed to DMF and (b) highest DMF exposure experienced. Summary analyses for all plants combined showed no statistically significant association between ever having been exposed to DMF and subsequent development of cancers of the buccal cavity and pharynx, liver, malignant melanoma, prostate, and testis. Examined by plant site, prostate cancer at one plant was significantly elevated, based on three case subjects exposed out of four.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Cancer incidence and mortality among workers exposed to acrylonitrile.

A cohort of 1,083 male employees who had potential for exposure to acrylonitrile between 1944 and 1970 at a Du Pont textile fibers plant were followed through 1981 for mortality and through 1983 for cancer incidence. In total, the 21 cancer deaths were fewer than expected based on either Du Pont or U.S. rates. No significant excesses were seen by primary site. In all, 37 cancer cases occurred as compared with 36.5 expected based on company rates. Five lung cancer cases were observed and 6.9 expected. There were 5 prostate cancer cases as compared with 1.9 expected. Of these, 4 occurred among wage employees during the 1975-1983 period, compared to 0.9 expected. This excess was statistically significant.

Acrylonitrile↗
PubMed1987

Nasal cancer in the U.S. shoe industry: does it exist?

Studies in England and Italy have demonstrated a striking association between employment in the shoemaking industry and cancer of the nasal cavities and sinuses. However, three recent, large-scale proportionate mortality studies of U.S. shoeworkers do not show any deaths from these tumors. This paper reviews the methodology of those studies, emphasizing the underlying data and statistical power. In addition, epidemiologic and other considerations important in assessing and interpreting the apparent absence of a nasal cancer risk in the U.S. shoe industry are discussed.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed1987

Mortality among workers in a shoe manufacturing company.

Several epidemiologic studies have suggested that leather workers have an elevated risk of bladder cancer, nasal cancer, and leukemia. A case-control analysis of patient files at a large cancer treatment facility in New York State indicated that several bladder cancer patients had worked at a large shoe manufacturing company in upstate New York. A mortality study was initiated to determine whether there was an unusual cancer risk associated with employment in this facility. Because company records were not available, local newspaper obituaries were used to identify former company employees who died between 1960 and 1979. Proportionate mortality (PMR) analyses were conducted by using 4,734 death certificates and the general U.S. population for comparison. There were no excess deaths from nasal cancer or bladder cancer, and mortality from leukemia was slightly lower than expected. Increased relative frequencies of digestive cancers were seen among men and women. There were significant excesses of deaths from multiple myeloma among both men (PMR = 193) and women (PMR = 346).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Nasopharyngeal cancer, sinonasal cancer, and occupations related to formaldehyde: a case-control study.

Formaldehyde vapor induces cancer of the nasal passages in laboratory animals. In this case-control epidemiologic study, occupational information was obtained for 198 persons with sinonasal cancer (SNC), for 173 with nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) identified as incident cases by the Connecticut Tumor Registry over 41 years among Connecticut males dying of any cause, and for 605 controls sampled from Connecticut death certificates. City directories and death certificates provided information on job, industry, employer, and year of employment for exposure classification. Without knowledge as to case-control status, an industrial hygienist particularly experienced in epidemiologic studies of formaldehyde classified each study subject with respect to probability and degree of formaldehyde exposure. For those with probable exposure to the high level 20+ years prior to death the odds ratio for NPC was 2.3 [95% confidence limits (CL): 0.9, 6.0], and for those with this same risk factor among men dying at age 68+ (the median study age at death or older) the odds ratio was 4.0 [95% CL: 1.3, 12.0--with two-sided P = .015, unadjusted for multiple significance tests, and with two-sided P = .129 in testing for interaction between this risk factor (never any exposure vs. probable exposure to high level 20+ years prior to death) and age (age less than 68 yr vs. age 68+ yr)]. Odds ratios were close to unity for 9 of 13 industries. Formaldehyde-related occupations in printing appeared to be associated with any type of nasal cancer (either SNC or NPC).

Formaldehyde↗
PubMed1987

Cancer incidence and mortality in the Du Pont Company: an update.

In a previous publication, Pell et al described the cancer epidemiologic surveillance program that was begun in the Du Pont Company in 1956 and presented standardized cancer incidence and mortality data through 1974 for Du Pont employees compared with such data for the US general population. This report provides the analysis of an additional 10 years of cancer incidence and mortality data, and examines time trends for specific cancer sites. Conoco, Inc, acquired in 1981, is not included in the analysis.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Mortality among industrial workers exposed to formaldehyde.

A historical cohort study evaluated the mortality experience of 26,561 workers employed in 10 formaldehyde-producing or -using facilities. Approximately 600,000 person-years of follow-up accrued as workers were followed to January 1, 1980. Estimates of historical exposure to formaldehyde by job were developed by project industrial hygienists using monitoring data available from participating plants, comments from long-term workers, and comprehensive monitoring data specifically collected for this study. Mortality from all causes combined was about as expected [standardized mortality ratio (SMR) = 96] based on mortality rates of the general U.S. population. Significantly fewer deaths occurred from infective and parasitic diseases (SMR = 51) and from accidents (SMR = 72) than expected. Cancer overall was not related to formaldehyde exposure. Workers exposed to formaldehyde had slight excesses for Hodgkin's disease and cancers of the lung and prostate gland, but these excesses were not consistently related to duration of or average, cumulative, or peak formaldehyde exposure levels. Recent animal studies found nasal cancer among rats exposed to formaldehyde, but no excess of this tumor occurred in this study. Mortality from brain cancer and leukemia among these industrial workers was not excessive in contrast to reported excesses among professional groups (e.g., anatomists, embalmers, and pathologists) with exposure to formaldehyde. Although there was a deficit for cancer of the buccal cavity and pharynx, mortality from certain subsites, i.e., the nasopharynx and oropharynx, was elevated. These subsites did not, however, show a consistently rising risk with level of exposure. These data provide little evidence that mortality from cancer is associated with formaldehyde exposure at levels experienced by workers in this study.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Epidemiologic study of workers exposed to acrylonitrile: an update.

A previous report presented the cancer morbidity and mortality experience through 1976 of a cohort of 1,345 male employees with potential for exposure to acrylonitrile at a fibers-producing plant. This study has now been updated through 1983 for cancer incidence and through 1981 for mortality. Overall, 43 cancer cases have occurred, with 37.1 expected based on company rates. A previously reported excess number of cases of lung cancer remains, but is not as marked (10 observed, 7.2 expected). Prostate cancer cases were significantly in excess, with six cases observed and 1.8 expected. Mortality analyses revealed 36 cancer deaths, with 31.6 expected. Of these, 14 were from lung cancer, with 11.6 expected based on company rates. Only one death from prostate cancer occurred, with 1.0 expected. To our knowledge, prostate cancer excesses have not been reported in any other acrylonitrile studies, and hence their significance is currently difficult to assess.

Acrylonitrile↗
PubMed1985

Causes of death among female chemists.

A mortality odds ratio analysis of cause of death among 347 White female members of the American Chemical Society (ACS) revealed a five-fold excess of suicide, notably by cyanide poisoning. Risk was also elevated for all cancers combined and for cancers of the breast, ovary, stomach, pancreas, and lymphatic and hematopoietic system. The excess breast and ovary cancer deaths were limited to unmarried women.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Mortality among retired fur workers. Dyers, dressers (tanners) and service workers.

A retrospective cohort mortality study was conducted on 807 fur dyers, fur dressers (tanners), and fur service workers who were pensioned between 1952 and 1977 by the Fur, Leather and Machine Workers Union of New York City. Workplace exposures of fur workers varied with job category. Dyers were exposed to oxidative dyes used in commercial hair dyes; dressers and service workers were exposed to tanning chemicals. In a comparison with the New York City population, no significant increases in mortality were observed among the fur dyers. Among fur dressers, mortality from all malignant neoplasms [standardized mortality ratio (SMR) 151] and lung cancer (SMR 232) was significantly elevated, as was mortality from cardiovascular disease (SMR 126) among fur service workers. When examined by ethnic origin, the elevated SMR values and directly age-adjusted rate ratios suggested that foreign-born fur dressers and eastern European-born fur workers experienced the highest risks for lung and colorectal cancers, respectively. These data support previous findings of increased mortality from colorectal cancer in the foreign-born population of the United States and suggest a possible occupational etiology for the observed lung cancer excess.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Mortality patterns among U.S. veterans by occupation. I. Cancer.

The mortality experience of a nation-wide cohort of 293,958 veterans was analyzed by occupation and industry to generate hypotheses in occupational cancer. Results are presented on 107,563 deaths occurring between 1954 and 1970. Information on usual employment (occupation and industry) and smoking habits was available from questionnaires completed in 1954 and 1957. Complete enumeration of these results by occupation and industry is available as special National Cancer Institute monographs from the author (A. B.). This report presents the mortality experience for selected occupations. Excesses of lung cancer among shipyard workers, truck drivers, and plumbers are consistent with previous reports. Elevated risks for stomach cancer among carpenters and machinists may reflect exposure to dusts, abrasives, and cutting oils.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Comparison of crude and smoking-adjusted standardized mortality ratios.

To systematically evaluate bias in estimating relative risks associated with occupational exposures obtained in the absence of smoking data, the authors compared crude and smoking-adjusted standardized mortality ratios for selected occupations using data from a study of U.S. veterans. Crude and smoking-adjusted SMRs were highly correlated: lung cancer (r = .88), bladder cancer (r = .98), and intestinal cancer (r = .97). Greater differences occurred for lung cancer, which is more strongly related to smoking than bladder or intestinal cancer.

Humans↗
PubMed1984

Cancer and other causes of death among embalmers.

To evaluate the potential carcinogenic effects of formaldehyde, we examined the proportionate mortality experience of embalmers licensed to practice in California. Mortality was significantly elevated for total cancer, arteriosclerotic heart disease, and suicide, whereas significant deficits were noted in mortality from diseases of the respiratory and genitourinary systems. Deaths from cancers of the brain, colon, and prostate and leukemia were significantly higher than expected. No increased mortality was seen for cancers of the respiratory tract, including the nasal passages, where an effect might be expected based on animal studies. A parallel mortality survey of embalmers from New York State showed similar findings, with excesses of brain tumors, leukemia, colon cancer, arteriosclerotic heart disease, and cirrhosis. Further investigation is needed to determine whether any of these outcomes is related to formaldehyde exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Cancer incidence among cosmetologists.

This cohort study examined cancer incidence in 13,650 Connecticut cosmetologists who had held licenses for 5 years or more and had begun hairdressing school prior to January 1, 1966. Cancer incidence rates for the general Connecticut population, 1935-78, were compared with those for 11,845 female and 1,805 male cosmetologists. The females had a standardized cancer incidence ratio (SIR) of 112 (P less than .01). A significant excess of lung cancer (SIR = 141) and excesses of brain (SIR = 168) and ovarian cancer (SIR = 134) of borderline significance were observed. No significant cancer risk was evident for female cosmetologists licensed since 1935, even for those with 35 years or more of follow-up, although the SIRs for brain cancer, lymphoma, and leukemia were elevated. Female cosmetologists who entered the profession between 1925 and 1934, however, experienced a significant overall cancer incidence (SIR = 129) and significant excesses of respiratory, breast, corpus uterine, and ovarian cancers. Those with 35 years or more from time of first license appeared to be at the highest risk. Among males the overall cancer incidence rate was close to that expected (SIR = 105). Smoking habits and reproductive factors that could not be taken into account may explain some of the excesses among females. Although no specific occupational agent could be identified, the excess numbers of leukemias in females and brain cancers among males and females merit continued surveillance.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Mortality patterns among embalmers.

In view of recent findings of nasal cancer in rats exposed to formaldehyde vapors, we investigated the proportionate mortality experience of embalmers licensed to practice in New York State. Mortality was significantly elevated for cancers of the skin and colon and for arteriosclerotic heart disease, whereas significant deficits were seen in mortality from respiratory diseases and accidents. Respiratory cancer mortality was not excessive and no deaths were attributed to nasal cancer. Mortality was significantly elevated for cancers of the skin, kidney, and brain among those licensed only as embalmers, whereas mortality patterns were unremarkable among those licensed also as funeral directors (and presumably less exposed to formaldehyde) These preliminary results indicate the need for occupational cohort studies to clarify the carcinogenic potential of formaldehyde.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Proportionate mortality among US shoeworkers, 1966-1977.

Proportionate mortality for various causes was examined among 3,754 decedents (2,144 men, 1,610 women) who had worked in shoe manufacturing plants represented by either of two labor unions in the US. None of the shoeworker deaths were attributed to nasal cancer, whereas 2.2 were expected on the basis of general population data. Mortality from leukemia and cancer of the urinary bladder was not unusual in either sex or either union. However, deaths from cancers of the liver and gallbladder combined were significantly increased among male and female members of one union. Three deaths from mesothelioma were seen among members of this same union. Rectal cancer mortality was higher than expected among men and women in both unions. The findings are at variance with previous reports of high risks of certain cancer sites among shoeworkers. However, results for liver and gallbladder cancer and mesothelioma suggest the possibility that other previously unsuspected hazards may have been present in certain areas of the US shoe industry.

Coronary Disease↗