Eva S Hansen

A cohort study on the mortality of firefighters.

This study was set up to investigate the effect of exposure to combustion effluents on the chronic health of firefighters. A cohort of firefighters was followed up through 10 years with regard to cause specific mortality. Comparisons were made with another cohort of civil servants and salaried employees in physically demanding jobs. After a latency of five years, an excess mortality from cancer was seen for persons aged 30 to 74 (standardised mortality ratio (SMR) 173, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 104-270). A significant increase in lung cancer was seen in the group aged 60 to 74 (SMR 317, 95% CI 117-691), whereas non-pulmonary cancer was significantly increased in the group aged 30 to 49 (SMR 575, 95% CI 187-1341). It is concluded that inhalation of carcinogenic and toxic compounds during firefighting may constitute an occupational cancer risk. An extended use of respiratory protective equipment is advocated.

A mortality study of Danish stokers

This study was set up to investigate whether work as a stoker is associated with an increased risk of specific malignant neoplasms. For this purpose, a cohort of 2777 male stokers was followed up through a 10 year period with regard to cause specific mortality. Comparisons were made with another cohort of unskilled male workers in physically demanding jobs. The mortality of the stokers was significantly increased for lung cancer (standardised mortality ratio (SMR) 145, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 110-186) and for multiple myeloma (SMR 388, 95% CI 106-994). Also, increases were seen for cancer of the urinary organs and cancer of the mouth and throat. The combustion products to which the stokers have been exposed comprise several carcinogenic agents including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, arsenic, and radionuclides. It seems likely that the occupational exposure of stokers has contributed to their excess cancer mortality.

No effect or no information? Comments on a nested case-control study of lung cancer among European rock and slag wool production workers.

Abstract The author considers the validity, of a recent study of lung cancer among European rock and slag wool workers. The study failed to demonstrate an association between lung cancer and exposure to man-made vitreous fibers and also did not manage to demonstrate a relationship between, lung cancer and asbestos exposure, an odd finding that casts doubt on its validity. This article deals with bias towards the null and other aspects of the reviewed study that may, explain its failure to demonstrate an effect of asbestos, concluding; that the study does not add to knowledge about a possible carcinogenic effect of rock and slag wool fibers, the apparent null results simply being non-informative because of the studys poor Ability to detect existing associations.