Cancer Study Among Toluene-Exposed Workers.
Cancer Incidence and Cancer Mortality in Rotogravure Printing

Daniela Pelclová1, Alena Slámová2, and Jana Zvárová3

1 Department of Occupational Medicine, 1st Medical Faculty, Charles University, and General Teaching Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
2 Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1st Medical Faculty, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
3 EuroMISE Center of Charles University and Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic

Corresponding author: Assoc. Prof. Daniela Pelclová, M.D., Ph.D.
    Department of Occupational Medicine,
    1st Medical Faculty, Charles University and General Teaching Hospital,
    Na Bojišti 1, CZ-120 00 Prague 2, Czech Republic
    Telephone: +420 2 2496 4532
    Fax number: +420 2 2491 4570
    E-mail adress: daniela.pelclova@LF1.cuni.cz

CEJOEM 2001, Vol.7. Nos.3-4.:237-244

Key words:
Cancer mortality, cancer incidence, toluene, printing plant workers, occupations

Abstract:
The objective of this study was to determine the cancer incidence and cancer mortality among rotogravure printers exposed to high concentrations of toluene among other compounds in the past. Cancer incidence and mortality were studied in the cohorts of two rotogravure printing plants (241 and 361 printers) to estimate the possible influence of the working environment. The observed number of cancers and the expected number of cases in the cohorts of printers were compared and the standardised incidence and mortality ratios were calculated. The statistical evaluation was performed using EpiTools software.
    The total observed number of cancers and cancer deaths was significantly higher than expected. The standardised mortality ratios were 790 (95% CI 421-1423) and 636 (95% CI 251-1302) for the Printing Plants I and II, respectively. Most frequent cancers were those of the urinary system, lung, and breast. Statistical evaluation of the cause specific cancer mortality was not possible because of the low number of persons in the cohorts. The advantage of this study, anyway, was the homogeneity of the exposure in the cohorts and the high toluene exposure in the Printing Plants I and II (104-1170 ppm and 8-413 ppm, respectively) where the printers had had in the past an increased level of hippuric acid in urine (7.08 and 2.45 g•L-1, respectively) and of chromosomal aberrations in peripheral lymphocytes (3.64 and 2.70%, respectively). The results indicate a possible relationship between exposure to hazardous substances in the rotogravure printing plant and the observed increased number of cancer deaths, which is in agreement with previously found genotoxic effects and with the suspicion of other authors that toluene exposure may lead to carcinogenesis.

Received:  21 November 2001
Accepted:  18 March 2002
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