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Abstract

Title: Respiratory cancer and inhaled inorganic arsenic in a cohort of copper smelters workers: evidence for a linear relationship with cumulative arsenic exposure that increases with concentration
Author: Lubin J.H.,Moore L,Fraumeni JF, Jr,Cantor KP
Journal: Environ Health Perspect
Year: 2008
Month: September

Abstract: Abstract: Background: Inhalation of high levels of airborne inorganic arsenic is a recognized cause of respiratory cancer. While multiple epidemiologic studies have demonstrated this association, there have been few analyses of the mathematical relationship between cumulative arsenic exposure and risk of respiratory cancer, and no assessment as to whether and how arsenic concentration may modify this association. Objectives: The objective is an evaluation of the shape of the relationship between respiratory cancer mortality and cumulative inhaled arsenic exposure among copper smelter workers, and the modification of that relationship by arsenic concentration. Methods: We use Poisson regression methods to analyze data from a cohort of arsenic-exposed copper smelter workers under a linear-exponential model for the excess relative risk. Results: Within categories of arsenic concentration, the association between respiratory cancer and cumulative arsenic exposure was consistent with linearity. The slope of the linear relationship with cumulative exposure increased with arsenic concentration. Conclusions: Our results suggested a direct concentration effect from inhaled inorganic arsenic, whereby the excess relative risk for a fixed cumulative exposure was greater when delivered at a higher concentration and shorter duration than when delivered at a lower concentration and longer duration.