MORTALITY AMONG RUBBER WORKERS .8. INDUSTRIAL-PRODUCTS WORKERS

The mortality experience of 6533 men employed in the industrial products division of a rubber manufacturing company was compared with that of USA males and other rubber workers. For most causes of death the mortality rates of industrial products workers were lower than those of USA males and similar to those of other rubber workers. Relative to other rubber workers, men in the industrial products division had a 50% excess of deaths from lymphoma, a 90% excess of deaths from multiple myeloma and a 20% excess of deaths from bladder cancer. The excesses of lymphoma and multiple myeloma were strongest during recent follow-up in 1970-1978 (observed/expected deaths: 10/4.3 for lymphoma; 10/4.4 for multiple myeloma); bladder cancer mortality was not excessive during this period.