Cohort mortality study of 57,000 painters and other union members: a 15 year update

Occup Environ Med. 1999 May;56(5):315-21. doi: 10.1136/oem.56.5.315.

Abstract

Objectives: To study mortality patterns in the largest existing cohort of painters.

Methods: 15 years of follow up were added to a study of 42,170 painters and 14,316 non-painters based on union records. There were 23,458 deaths, compared with 5313 in the earlier follow up.

Results: Comparisons with the United States population showed significantly increased rates in painters for lung cancer (standardised mortality ratio (SMR) 1.23, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.17 to 1.29), bladder cancer (SMR 1.23, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.43), liver cancer (SMR 1.25, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.50), and stomach cancer (SMR 1.39, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.59). However, in direct comparisons with non-painters only the excesses for lung cancer (SRR 1.23, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.35, increasing to 1.32, 95% CI 16 to 1.93 with 20 years latency) and bladder cancer (SRR 1.77, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.77) were confirmed. Some confounding by smoking may affect these two outcomes, particularly with external referents. Cirrhosis of the liver was increased for both painters and non-painters (SMRs 1.21, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.35, and 1.26, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.51, respectively), possibly indicating high alcohol consumption. Suicide (SMR 1.21, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.38) and homicide (SMR 1.36, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.75) were increased for painters but not for non-painters; neuropsychiatric diseases have been associated with painters in earlier studies.

Conclusions: The results suggest modest occupational risks for lung and bladder cancer; these results are consistent with existing publications. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified painting as an occupation definitely associated with cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cause of Death
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Homicide / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis / mortality
  • Liver Neoplasms / mortality
  • Lung Neoplasms / mortality*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Diseases / mortality*
  • Occupations*
  • Paint*
  • Suicide / statistics & numerical data
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / mortality*