Mortality and cancer incidence among marine engineers and machinists in Iceland

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Epidemiology
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Marine engineers and machinists face occupational exposures including asbestos, mineral oils, and exhaust gases.
• Previous studies suggest potential links between these exposures and adverse health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate mortality and cancer morbidity among Icelandic marine engineers and machinists.
• To specifically examine the risk of lung cancer in this occupational cohort.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 295 marine engineers and 182 machinists (graduates 1936-1955).
• Data linkage with the Statistical Bureau of Iceland (deaths 1951-1982) and the Cancer Register (cancers 1955-1982).
• Assessment of occupational exposures and smoking status.

Main Results:

• Significantly increased standardized mortality ratios for cancer of the trachea, bronchus, and lung were observed.
• No statistically significant excess in overall cancer incidence or specific cancer sites.
• Lower smoking prevalence in the cohort compared to the general male population in Reykjavik.

Conclusions:

• The increased lung cancer mortality is likely causally related to occupational exposures.
• Asbestos exposure is a key suspected factor contributing to the elevated lung cancer risk.
• Findings highlight the importance of controlling occupational exposures in these trades.