Top

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

Published in:

01-01-2015 | Original Article

Mortality among capacitor workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a long-term update

Authors: Renate D. Kimbrough, Constantine A. Krouskas, Wenjing Xu, Peter G. Shields

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 1/2015

Abstract

Purpose

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous in the environment. Concerns have been raised about cancer and other disease risks. This follow-up mortality study of PCB workers addresses some of these concerns.

Methods

Mortality among 7,061 PCB capacitor workers was updated through 2008 (287,712 person-years; mean follow-up 41 years). Adjusted standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for USA and New York State referent rates. Standardized rate ratios (SRRs) were calculated based on employment duration and latency.

Results

Standardized mortality ratios for all causes of death were statistically significantly lower in the total cohort (SMR 92; 95 % CI 89–96) and in males (SMR 88; 95 % CI 83–92), but not in females (SMR 100; 95 % CI 94–106). For all cancers combined, SMRs for the total cohort (SMR 103; 95 % CI 96–111) and for males (SMR 96; 95 % CI 87–105) did not differ from the expected rates, in contrast to females (SMR 114; 95 % CI 103–126). Buccal cavity and pharyngeal cancers were statistically increased in the combined cohort (SMR 169; 95 % CI 108–251) and in females (SMR 273; 95 % CI 131–502). Respiratory system malignancies were statistically lower in males (SMR 83; 95 % CI 70–97), while they were increased in females (SMR 143; 95 % CI 118–172). Melanomas were statistically significantly increased in male salaried workers only. No positive trends (SRRs) with increasing length of employment and increasing latency were found.

Conclusions

The positive results lacking exposure–response relationships are subject to confounding and probably do not represent causal associations.

Available only for authorised users

Bahn AK, Rosenwaike I, Hermann N et al (1976) Letter: Melanoma after exposure to PCB’s. N Engl J Med 295:450

Bertazzi PA, Riboldi L, Pesatori A et al (1987) Cancer mortality of capacitor manufacturing workers. Am J Ind Med 11:165–176CrossRef

Bertrand KA, Spiegelman D, Aster JC et al (2010) Plasma organochlorine levels and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in a cohort of men. Epidemiology 21:172–180CrossRef

Brackbill R, Frazier T, Shilling S (1988) Smoking characteristics of US workers, 1978–1980. Am J Ind Med 13:5–41CrossRef

Brauner EV, Sorensen M, Gaudreau E et al (2012) A prospective study of organochlorines in adipose tissue and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Environ Health Perspect 120:105–111CrossRef

Brown DP (1987) Mortality of workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls—an update. Arch Environ Health 42:333–339CrossRef

Brown DP, Jones M (1981) Mortality and industrial hygiene study of workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls. Arch Environ Health 36:120–129CrossRef

Chase KH, Wong O, Thomas D et al (1982) Clinical and metabolic abnormalities associated with occupational exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). J Occup Med 24(2):109–114

Cocco P, Brennan P, Ibba A et al (2008) Plasma polychlorobiphenyl and organochlorine pesticide level and risk of major lymphoma subtypes. Occup Environ Med 65:132–140CrossRef

Covey LS, Zang EA, Wynder EL (1992) Cigarette smoking and occupational status: 1977 to 1990. Am J Public Health 82:1230–1234CrossRef

De Roos AJ, Hartge P, Lubin JH et al (2005) Persistent organochlorine chemicals in plasma and risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Cancer Res 65:11214–11226CrossRef

Doody MM, Hayes HM, Bilgrad R (2001) Comparability of national death index plus and standard procedures for determining causes of death in epidemiologic studies. Ann Epidemiol 11:46–50CrossRef

Engel LS, Laden F, Andersen A et al (2007a) Polychlorinated biphenyl levels in peripheral blood and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: a report from three cohorts. Cancer Res 67:5545–5552 CrossRef

Engel LS, Lan Q, Rothman N (2007b) Polychlorinated biphenyls and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 16:373–376CrossRef

Ersoy C, Imamoglu S (2006) Comparison of the obesity risk and related factors in employed and unemployed (housewife) premenopausal urban women. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 72:190–196CrossRef

Gallagher RP, Macarthur AC, Lee TK et al (2011) Plasma levels of polychlorinated biphenyls and risk of cutaneous malignant melanoma: a preliminary study. Int J Cancer 128:1872–1880CrossRef

Golden R, Kimbrough R (2009) Weight of evidence evaluation of potential human cancer risks from exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls: an update based on studies published since 2003. Crit Rev Toxicol 39:299–331CrossRef

Hardell L, Van Havel B, Lindsrom G et al (1996) Higher concentrations of specific polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in adipose tissue from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients compared with controls without a malignant disease. Int J Oncol 9:603–608

Hardell E, Eriksson M, Lindstrom G et al (2001) Case-control study on concentrations of organohalogen compounds and titers of antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus antigens in the etiology of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Leuk Lymphoma 42:619–629CrossRef

Hill AB (1965) The environment and disease: association or causation. Proc R Soc Med 58:295–300

Hopf NB, Waters MA, Ruder AM et al (2010) Development of a retrospective job exposure matrix for PCB exposed workers in capacitor manufacturing. J Occup Health 52(4):199–208

Jones M (1983) Industrial hygiene survey Washington. In: DC National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health NIOSH publication 83-137224. Reprinted by the National Technical Information Service

Kimbrough RD, Krouskas CA (2003) Human exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and health effects: a critical synopsis. Toxicol Rev 22:217–233CrossRef

Kimbrough RD, Doemland ML, LeVois ME (1999) Mortality in male and female capacitor workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls. J Occup Environ Med 41:161–171CrossRef

Kimbrough RD, Doemland ML, Mandel JS (2003) A mortality update of male and female capacitor workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls. J Occup Environ Med 45:271–282CrossRef

Kreiss K (1985) Studies on populations exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls. Environ Health Perspect 60:193–199CrossRef

Laden F, Hankinson SE, Wolff MS, Colditz GA, Willett WC, Speizer FE, Hunter DJ (2001) Plasma organochlorine levels and the risk of breast cancer: an extended follow-up in the Nurses' Health Study. Int J Cancer 91:568–574

Laden F, Bertrand KA, Altshul L et al (2010) Plasma organochlorine levels and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the Nurses’ Health Study. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 19:1381–1384CrossRef

Lauby-Secretan B, Loomis D, Grosse Y et al (2013) Carcinogenicity of polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated biphenyls. Lancet Oncol. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(13)70104-9(0)

Lawton RW, Sack BD, Ross MR et al (1981) Studies of employees occupationally exposed to PCBs, a progress report. General Electric Company, Environmental Protection Agency (submitted)

Lawton RW, Brown JF Jr, Ross MR et al (1985a) Comparability and precision of serum PCB measurements. Arch Environ Health 40:29–37CrossRef

Lawton RW, Ross MR, Feingold J et al (1985b) Effects of PCB exposure on biochemical and hematological findings in capacitor workers. Environ Health Perspect 60:165–184CrossRef

Loomis D, Browning SR, Schenk AP et al (1997) Cancer mortality among electrical workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls. Occup Environ Med 54:720–728

Maifredi G, Donato F, Magoni M et al (2011) Polychlorinated biphenyls and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: a case-control study in Northern Italy. Environ Res 111:254–259CrossRef

Mallin K, McCann K, D’Aloisio A et al (2004) Cohort mortality study of capacitor manufacturing workers, 1944–2000. J Occup Environ Med 46:565–576CrossRef

Mayes BA, McConnell EE, Neal BH et al (1998) Comparative carcinogenicity in Sprague Daley rats of the polychlorinated biphenyl mixtures Aroclor 1016, 1242, 1254 and 1260. Toxicol Sci 41:62–76

Nichols BR, Hentz KL, Aylward L, Hays SM, Lamb JC (2007) Age-specific references for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) based on the NHANES 2001–2002 survey. J Toxicol Environ Health A 70:1873–1877CrossRef

Pesatori AC, Grillo P, Consonni D et al (2013) Update of the mortality study of workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in two Italian capacitor manufacturing plants. Med Lav 104:107–114

Prince MM, Ruder AM, Hein MJ et al (2006) Mortality and exposure response among 14,458 electrical capacitor manufacturing workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Environ Health Perspect 114:1508–1514CrossRef

Quintana PJ, Delfino RJ, Korrick S et al (2004) Adipose tissue levels of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls and risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Environ Health Perspect 112:854–861CrossRef

Ries LA, Wingo PA, Miller DS et al (2000) The annual report to the nation on the status of cancer, 1973–1997, with a special section on colorectal cancer. Cancer 88:2398–2424CrossRef

Robinson CF, Schnorr TM, Cassinelli RT et al (2006) Tenth revision U.S. mortality rates for use with the NIOSH Life Table Analysis System. J Occup Environ Med 48:662–667CrossRef

Rothman K (1986) Modern epidemiology. Little Brown, Boston

Rothman KJ, Greenland S (1998) Modern epidemiology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia

Ruder AM, Hein MJ, Nilsen N et al (2006) Mortality among workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in an electrical capacitor manufacturing plant in Indiana: an update. Environ Health Perspect 114:18–23CrossRef

Ruder AM, Hein MJ, Hopf NB, Waters MA (2013) Mortality among 24, 865 workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in three electrical capacitor manufacturing plants: a ten year update. Int J Hyg Environ Health. doi:10.1016/.ijheh.2013.04.006

Sathiakumar N, Delzell E, Abdalla O (1998) Using the National Death Index to obtain underlying cause of death codes. J Occup Environ Med 40:808–813CrossRef

Schottenfeld D, Winawer SJ (1996) Cancers of the large intestines. In: Schottenfeld D, Fraumeni JF (eds) Cancer, epidemiology, prevention. Oxford University Press, New York, pp 813–840

Shields PG (2006) Understanding population and individual risk assessment: the case of polychlorinated biphenyls. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 15:830–839CrossRef

Sinks T, Steele G, Smith AB et al (1992) Mortality among workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls. Am J Epidemiol 136:389–398

Spinelli JJ, Ng CH, Weber JP et al (2007) Organochlorines and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Int J Cancer 121:2767–2775CrossRef

Sterling TD, Weinkam JJ (1976) Smoking characteristics by type of employment. J Occup Med 18:743–754CrossRef

Sterling TD, Weinkam JJ (1978) Smoking patterns by occupation, industry, sex, and race. Arch Environ Health 33:313–317CrossRef

Tironi A, Pesatori A, Consonni D et al (1996) The mortality of female workers exposed to PCBs. Epidemiol Prev 20:200–202

Tomassallo C, Anderson H, Haughwout M et al (2010) Mortality among frequent consumers of Great Lake sport fish. Environ Res 110(1):62–9

U.S. Epa (US Environmental Protection Agency) (1982) Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs): manufacturing, processing, distribution in commerce and use prohibition: use in electrical equipment. Fed Reg 47:37–342

Viel JF, Floret N, Deconinck E et al (2011) Increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and serum organochlorine concentrations among neighbors of a municipal solid waste incinerator. Environ Int 37:449–453CrossRef

Williams RH, Horm JW (1977) Association of cancer sites with tobacco and alcohol consumption and socioeconomic status of patients: interview study from the third national cancer survey. J Natl Cancer Inst 58:525–547

Wolff MS, Fischbein A, Thornton J et al (1982) Body burden of polychlorinated biphenyls among persons employed in capacitor manufacturing. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 49:199–208CrossRef

Title: Mortality among capacitor workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a long-term update
Authors: Renate D. Kimbrough
Constantine A. Krouskas
Wenjing Xu
Peter G. Shields
Publication date: 01-01-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 1/2015
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-014-0940-y

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Mortality among capacitor workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a long-term update

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 1/2015

Risk factors of recurrent sickness absence due to depression: a two-year cohort study among Japanese employees

Longitudinal changes in hearing threshold levels of noise-exposed construction workers

The AGRIculture and CANcer (AGRICAN) cohort study: enrollment and causes of death for the 2005–2009 period

Work–family conflict, emotional exhaustion and performance-based self-esteem: reciprocal relationships

Cardiovascular disease mortality among retired workers chronically exposed to intense occupational noise

Updating and prospective validation of a prognostic model for high sickness absence