Lung Cancer in Chromate-Exposed Aerospace Workers

A retrospective cohort study evaluated the nsk of lung cancer in aerospace workers with a minimum of 6 months' employment in jobs with chromium [VI] exposure (n = 2429). Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) estimated the risk of lung cancer by duration of employment in chromate-exposure jobs and cumulative exposure based on industri hygiene and work-history data. The overall SIR for lung cancer was 0.8 (observed [Obs] = 15). Lung cancer risk was inversely related to estimates of cumulative chromate exposure and duration of employmen as a painter. Although based on few cases, an elevated lung cancer r was found in subjects who had worked for 5 or more years as a chrom plater or surface processor tank tender (Obs = 2, SIR = 1.9) and sander/masker or polisher (Obs = 3, SIR = 2.7). A clear association was not observed between chromate exposure and the risk of lung canc in this population of workers.