Cancer incidence in a cohort of Swedish sewage workers: extended follow up. Issue 10 (1st October 1999)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Friis, L; Mikoczy, Z; Hagmar, L; Edling, C
• Is Part Of: Occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 56:Issue 10(1999)
• Page Start: 672
• Page End: 673
• Publication Date: 1999-10-01
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 616.980305
• DOI: 10.1136/oem.56.10.672
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0711

Abstract

Abstract : OBJECTIVES: To study the cancer incidence in a cohort of Swedish sewage workers. An increased incidence of cancer of the stomach, the kidney and the nervous system in this cohort was previously reported. This new analysis reports on 9 more years of follow up. METHODS: The study is an analysis of a cohort of all 711 employees at 17 Swedish sewage plants employed for at least for 1 year during the years 1965-86. Assessment of exposures was performed by classification of work tasks. Standardised incidence ratios (SIRs), and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: The total cancer incidence was not significantly increased (SIR = 1.2, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.5) but the incidence of prostate cancer was (SIR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.5), and based on two cases only, there seemed to be a significant increase of cancer of the nose and the nasal sinuses (SIR = 12, 95% CI 1.5 to 44). The incidence of stomach cancer was also increased (SIR = 2.3, 95% CI 0.99 to 4.5). There was no relation between cancer incidence and level of sewage exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Sewage workers did not have an increased risk of cancer, and the increased risk estimates for some specific cancer sites were not conclusive.