Cancer mortality among northern georgia carpet and textile workers

Proportionate cancer mortality was analyzed among white male carpet and textile workers in five northwest Georgia counties for the years 1970–1984. Compared with other Georgians, carpet and textile workers had higher proportions of lymphocytic leukemia (proportionate cancer mortality ratio [PCMR] = 2.9; 95% CI = 1.4–5.4) and testicular cancer (PCMR = 3.2; 95% CI = 1.0–7.5). The excess mortality from lymphocytic leukemia was even higher when the analysis was limited to workers deemed most likely to work directly in production areas (PCMR = 4.2; 95% CI = 1.7–8.7). Further studies are needed to determine if the observed excesses are the result of workplace exposures.