Cancer Incidence Among Workers with Blood Lead Measurements in Two Countries

Details

• Personal Author:
  Anttila A ; Barry V ; McElvenny M ; Mueller W ; Ritchie P ; Sallmen M ; Steenland, Kyle ; Straif K
• Description:
  Objective Study carcinogenicity of inorganic lead, classified as "probably carcinogenic" to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (brain, lung, kidney and stomach). Methods We conducted internal and external analyses for cancer incidence in two cohorts of 29 874 lead-exposed workers with past blood lead data (Finland, n=20 752, Great Britain=9122), with 6790 incident cancers. Exposure was maximum measured blood lead. Results The combined cohort had a median maximum blood lead of 29 ug/dL, a mean first blood lead test of 1977, and was 87% male. Significant (p<0.05) positive trends, using the log of maximum blood lead, were found for brain cancer (malignant), Hodgkin's lymphoma, lung cancer and rectal cancer, while a significant negative trend was found for melanoma. Borderline significant positive trends (0.0540 ug/ dL) showed a significant excess for lung cancer in both countries combined, and significant excesses in Finland for brain and lung cancer. The Great Britain data were limited by small numbers for some cancers, and limited variation in exposure. Conclusions We found strong positive incidence trends with increasing blood lead level, for several outcomes in internal analysis. Two of these, lung and brain cancer, were sites of a priori interest. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Blood Carcinogens Environmental Exposure Hematologic Tests Lead Lung Lung Diseases Men Neoplasms Occupational Health Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Women Workplace

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• Keywords:
  Blood Analysis Blood Lead Levels Brain Cancer Cancer Carcinogenicity Exposure Levels Humans Lead Absorption Lead Compounds Lung Cancer Risk Factors Work Environment Workers

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• ISSN:
  1351-0711
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Georgia ; OSHA Region 4
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  76
• Issue:
  9
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20056824
• Citation:
  Occup Environ Med 2019 Sep; 76(9):603-610
• Contact Point Address:
  Dr Kyle Steenland, Environmental Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322
• Email:
  nsteenl@emory.edu
• CAS Registry Number:
  Lead (CAS RN 7439-92-1)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2019
• Performing Organization:
  Emory University, Atlanta
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20150601
• Source Full Name:
  Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• End Date:
  20190531
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:0a90e123183bc2255e7655637874ae1ad58a8d9bd4cbd592c1645b320dbdab9aaa3516c8ca15cf89aeeb8575990e096667f8c30c1e29c90de1dcba11c8b02ffa
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/214332/cdc_214332_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 260.37 KB ]