Epidemiologic support for ethylene oxide as a cancer-causing agent

JAMA. 1986 Mar 28;255(12):1575-8.

Abstract

The mortality and incidence of cancer in three groups of workers with occupational exposure to ethylene oxide have been assessed. Eight cases of leukemia have occurred among 733 ethylene oxide-exposed workers compared with an expected 0.8 cases. Six cases of stomach cancer have been reported compared with 0.65 cases expected. These epidemiologic results provide support for an increased risk of malignancy in individuals with extended and intermittent exposure to low concentrations of ethylene oxide.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / adverse effects*
  • Chemical Industry
  • Epidemiologic Methods
  • Ethylene Oxide / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Leukemia / chemically induced
  • Male
  • Mortality
  • Neoplasms / chemically induced*
  • Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Neoplasms / mortality
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Stomach Neoplasms / chemically induced
  • Sweden

Substances

  • Air Pollutants, Occupational
  • Ethylene Oxide