A case-control study of lung cancer mortality in six Gila Basin, Arizona smelter towns

Marsh, GM; Stone, RA; Esmen, NA; Gula, MJ; Gause, CK; Petersen, NJ; Meaney, FJ; Rodney, S; Prybylski, D

HERO ID

89854

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

1997

Language

English

PMID

9356195

HERO ID 89854
In Press No
Year 1997
Title A case-control study of lung cancer mortality in six Gila Basin, Arizona smelter towns
Authors Marsh, GM; Stone, RA; Esmen, NA; Gula, MJ; Gause, CK; Petersen, NJ; Meaney, FJ; Rodney, S; Prybylski, D
Journal Environmental Research
Volume 75
Issue 1
Page Numbers 56-72
Abstract To investigate factors related to lung cancer mortality in six Arizona copper smelter towns, we identified 185 lung cancer cases and two matched controls per case from decedent residents during 1979-1990. Detailed information on lifetime residential, occupational, and smoking history was obtained by structured telephone interviews with knowledgeable informants. Interviews were completed for 82% of 183 eligible cases and 88% of the targeted number (366) of controls. Estimated historical environmental exposures to smelter emissions, based on atmospheric diffusion modeling of measured SO2 concentrations, were linked with residential histories to derive individual profiles of residential exposure. Occupational histories were characterized by potential exposure to smelter emissions, asbestos, and ionizing radiation. Conditional logistic regression was used to compare study factors in cases and controls with adjustment for potential confounding factors: gender, Hispanic ethnicity, and smoking. In overall and gender-specific analyses, no statistically significant associations were observed between lung cancer risk and any of the measures of residential exposure to smelter emissions considered (town of residence at time of death, highest level of exposure, and duration or cumulative exposure above background levels), or any of the estimated occupational exposures (definite or potential asbestos, potential ionizing radiation, definite or potential smelter). Among male residents of some, but not all, towns, there was some evidence of a positive association between lung cancer risk and reported copper smelter-related employment (reported as definite), with the highest risk observed for Miami, Arizona. This study provided little evidence of a positive association between lung cancer mortality and residential exposure to smelter emissions. Specific factors associated with the apparent heterogeneity in lung cancer risk across study towns cannot be identified in this community-based study.
Doi 10.1006/enrs.1997.3768
Pmid 9356195
Wosid WOS:A1997YC20300008
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments ECRIB.Environ. Res. 75: 56-72.
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Index Medicus; Regression Analysis; Occupational Exposure; Interviews as Topic; Arizona -- epidemiology; Environmental Exposure; Case-Control Studies; Lung Neoplasms -- mortality; Lung Neoplasms -- epidemiology
Is Qa No