A mortality study of employees at a synthetic rubber manufacturing plant

A mortality follow‐up study was conducted of workers employed at a synthetic rubber manufacturing plant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Interest in the potential health effects of exposure to methyl chloride, one of the substances used in the manufacturing process, provided the impetus for this study. The study cohort consisted of 852 male process workers who had worked at least 1 month during the period from startup of operations in 1943 through December 31, 1978. Mortality from all causes was lower than expected when compared with the U.S. male population. No excess mortality from any specific cause of death was found in the study population after analysis by level and duration of exposure.