Mortality and cancer experience of Quebec aluminum reduction plant workers. Part 3: monitoring the mortality of workers first employed after January 1, 1950.

OBJECTIVE

To monitor changes over time in mortality of workers first employed in Quebec aluminum smelters after January 1, 1950 (1951-one cohort).

METHODS

Mortality of cohorts by decade of hire was compared with Quebec and same plant experience before 1950 (1951).

RESULTS

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory cancer (one cohort each) mortality were statistically in excess. In the combined cohorts, standardized mortality ratios exceeded 110 for cancers of esophagus, rectum, and rectosigmoid junction, pancreas, larynx, lung, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, cerebrovascular disease, and asthma. These findings essentially mirrored the experience of pre-1950 workers. There was a significant downward trend in mortality from all causes, lung and bladder cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Statistically significant improvements were found in mortality from all causes combined, from cancer and from cancer of the lung and bladder. Slightly increased mortality continues from certain other causes.