Abstract | OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine mortality from circulatory diseases and sudden death among workers in 12 Norwegian ferroalloy plants. METHODS: The cohort comprised 14730 men employed for the first time during 1933-1990 and for at least 6 months. Deaths observed during 1962-1990 were compared with expected figures calculated from national mortality rates. Internal comparisons of rates were performed by Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS: The overall mortality from cardiovascular diseases was not increased [standardized mortality ratio (SMR) 1.01], but a significantly increased mortality from sudden death (SMR 1.55) and hypertensive disease (SMR 1.37) was observed. Among the ferromanganese/silicomanganese (FeMn/SiMn) furnace workers the sudden death mortality was significantly increased during the employment period (SMR 2.47). In an internal comparison of the sudden death rates, a significant increase of 0.05 in the rate ratio per workyear was observed in this group. The mortality from 3 hypertension-related diseases combined (cerebrovascular, hypertensive, and renal diseases) showed identical positive mortality trends among the ferrosilicon/ silicon- metal (FeSi/Si-met) and the FeMn/SiMn furnace workers by increasing duration of work. CONCLUSIONS: Increased mortality from sudden death among the FeMn/SiMn furnace workers is not likely to be explained by smoking or alcohol consumption. Associations with work exposures ( manganese and possibly carbon monoxide and heat) are suspected. The increasing mortality from hypertension-related diseases with increasing duration of work in both groups of furnace workers may be associated with common furnace work conditions (eg, heat, psychosocial stress, shift work, noise, carbon monoxide).
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Authors | A Hobbesland, H Kjuus, D S Thelle |
Journal | Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health
(Scand J Work Environ Health)
Vol. 23
Issue 5
Pg. 334-41
(Oct 1997)
ISSN: 0355-3140 [Print] Finland |
PMID | 9403463
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Alloys
- Iron Compounds
- Silicon Compounds
- ferro-manganese alloy
- Manganese
- Carbon Monoxide
- ferrosilicon
- Iron
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Alloys
(adverse effects)
- Carbon Monoxide
(adverse effects)
- Cardiovascular Diseases
(mortality)
- Cause of Death
- Cohort Studies
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Death, Sudden, Cardiac
(epidemiology, etiology)
- Humans
- Hypertension
(etiology, mortality)
- Incidence
- Iron
(adverse effects)
- Iron Compounds
(adverse effects)
- Male
- Manganese
(adverse effects)
- Middle Aged
- Norway
(epidemiology)
- Occupational Diseases
(mortality)
- Occupational Exposure
(adverse effects)
- Risk Factors
- Silicon Compounds
(adverse effects)
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