Mortality and cancer morbidity in workers exposed to sulphur dioxide in a sulphuric acid plant

Abstract

To evaluate the risk of non-malignant respiratory disease and tumours at exposure to sulphur dioxide, a retrospective cohort study was performed on a group of 400 male workers, employed for at least six months during the period 1961-1981, in a sulphuric acid factory. Since 1969, fairly extensive measurements have been performed in the respiratory zone of the workers. The median level of total dust, over the years, was 2.2 mg/m3 (time-weighted average), of respirable dust 0.6 mg/m3, of sulphur dioxide 3.6 mg/m3, and of arsenic 11 micrograms/m3. There was a significantly increased total mortality in the period 1961-1985. Applying greater than or equal to 5 years latency period there were 47 observed deaths, giving a standardized mortality rate (SMR) of 1.57 (P = 0.002). The increased mortality was due to violence and intoxication (observed 9, SMR = 2.83; P = 0.006) and cardiovascular disease (SMR = 1.51, P = 0.05). The total tumour morbidity was not increased (observed 17, SMR = 1.17, P greater than 0.5) and there was no rise of either non-malignant or malignant lung diseases. However, there was an increase of bladder cancer (observed 5, SMR = 4.36, P = 0.006).