RTI uses cookies to offer you the best experience online. By clicking “accept” on this website, you opt in and you agree to the use of cookies. If you would like to know more about how RTI uses cookies and how to manage them please view our Privacy Policy here. You can “opt out” or change your mind by visiting: http://optout.aboutads.info/. Click “accept” to agree.
Cancer mortality among workers at a satellite manufacturing facility
McLaughlin, J. K., Mumma, M. T., Sonderman, JS., Farnsworth, E. P., & Lipworth, L. (2011). Cancer mortality among workers at a satellite manufacturing facility. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 53(4), 427-433. https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0b013e3182116674
Objective: To assess risk of cancer overall and renal cancer in particular among workers at the Valley Forge satellite manufacturing complex.
Methods: A cohort of 29,504 workers, employed between 1962 and 2008 at the complex, was studied. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated.
Results: Overall, 6583 workers had died by December 31, 2008. Standardized mortality ratios for all causes of death (0.70) and for all cancers (0.79) were reduced. Forty-three deaths from kidney cancer were observed, below the 67.2 expected (SMR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.46–0.86). The only significantly elevated SMR was for brain cancer (SMR = 1.34; 95% CI = 1.08–1.63; n = 95).
Conclusions: This study of 29,504 workers at the Valley Forge satellite complex over almost a 50-year span found no evidence of increased cancer mortality overall or from renal cancer, in particular. The unexpected finding for brain cancer warrants further investigation.
RTI shares its evidence-based research - through peer-reviewed publications and media - to ensure that it is accessible for others to build on, in line with our mission and scientific standards.