A proportionate mortality study of bricklayers and allied craftworkers.

BACKGROUND

Mortality among members of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (IUBAC) is examined. Bricklayers and allied craft workers may be exposed to cobalt, epoxy resins, pitch, lime, and to lung carcinogens such as asbestos, silica, and nickel.

METHODS

Proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) were computed using US age-, gender-, and race-specific mortality rates for members who died during 1986-1991.

RESULTS

Statistically significant PMRs among white men were found for cancers of the esophagus (PMR=134), stomach (PMR=131), respiratory system, trachea, bronchus, and lung (PMR=144), other parts of the respiratory system (PMR=216), other and unspecified sites (PMR=125). Elevated PMRs were also found for other diseases of the blood and blood forming organs (PMR=201), emphysema (PMR=133) and for asbestosis (PMR=554), and other respiratory diseases (PMR=119).

CONCLUSIONS

Results are consistent with those found in previous studies, and suggest the need for intervention activities directed at the prevention of these cancers, and other respiratory diseases.