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Lung cancer risk in the electroplating industry in Lombardy, Italy, using the Italian occupational cancer monitoring (OCCAM) information system
Author(s) -
Panizza Celestino,
Bai Edoardo,
Oddone Enrico,
Scaburri Alessandra,
Massari Stefania,
Modonesi Carlo,
Contiero Paolo,
Marinaccio Alessandro,
Crosignani Paolo
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.21004
Subject(s) - medicine , lung cancer , environmental health , cancer
Background Occupational Cancer Monitoring (OCCAM) is an Italian organization that monitors occupational cancers, by area and industrial sector, by retrieving cases and employment history from official databases. OCCAM previously estimated a relative risk (RR) of lung cancer of about 1.32 among “metal treatment” workers in Lombardy, northern Italy, potentially exposed to chrome and nickel. In the present study, lung cancer risk was estimated among electroplating workers only. Methods Lombardy electroplating companies were identified from descriptions in Social Security files. Lung cancer risk was evaluated from 2001 to 2008 incident cases identified from hospital discharge records. Results The RR for lung cancer among electroplating workers was 2.03 (90% CI 1.33–3.10, 18 cases) for men; 3.00 (90% CI 1.38–9.03, 4 cases) for women. Conclusions Electroplaters had higher risks than “metal treatment” workers. Although the risks were due to past exposure, case histories and recent acute effects indicate a present carcinogenic hazard in some Lombardy electroplating factories. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:1–4, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.