Cancer among potash workers in Saskatchewan.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate what factors contribute to the increased risk of developing cancer among potash mine workers.

METHODOLOGY: Data on 1434 male potash workers based on a nested case-control (

CASES: potash workers whose personal identifiers matched those of an individual registered with the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Controls: all other potash workers) study design were analyzed.

RESULTS

An occupational history of farming (RR [95% CI =]: 1.79 [1.26, 2.55]), presence of pleurisy at baseline [1.90 (1.07 to 3.40)], previous hard rock mining experience [1.74 (1.01 to 3.00)], and age statistically significantly elevated the risk of becoming a case. Smoking status was an effect modifier for the relationship between any respiratory disease at baseline and cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Age; previous occupational history of farming and rock mining; interaction between any respiratory disease and smoking status were positively associated with the development of cancer.