Electronics workers may have elevated risk of death from NHL

There was an increased risk of death from NHL among male hourly workers but not salaried workers, with SMRs of 1.49 and 0.68, respectively. The same pattern occurred for rectal cancer, with SMRs of 1.71 and 0.71, respectively.

The study also revealed an elevated incidence of pleural cancers in salaried males, mesothelioma in hourly workers, and testicular cancer in salaried males.

The increase in mesothelioma and pleural cancers was seen only in workers hired before 1969, which would support a link between the cancers and asbestos exposure. However, the researchers could find no evidence that asbestos was used in manufacturing at the facility.

Similarly, the investigators found no significant link between exposure to specific chemicals and the increased mortality from NHL or rectal cancer. And there was no significant link between exposure and testicular cancer.

Although these results do not suggest a strong role for occupational chemical exposures in cancer incidence and mortality, the researchers said risks from occupational exposures cannot be ruled out due to limitations of this study and the relative youth of this patient cohort.