2001
This is why the study was done
The OCAW asked for an investigation into possible excess risk
of heart disease among workers in a tire and rubber company.
Some studies suggest that carbon disulfide, a chemical used in
making rubber chemicals, may increase the risk of heart disease.
Carbon disulfide exposures at the plant were not found at
levels associated with heart disease and the chemical was
removed from the plant in 1994.
The study included these workers
- 1,749 workers from a tire and rubber company who worked at the
plant sometime between 1946-1988.
- 708 workers were definitely exposed to rubber chemicals because
they worked in the chemicals department.
- 291 workers were possibly exposed and worked in the maintenance,
janitorial, or shipping department.
- 750
workers were probably not exposed.
This is how the study was done
We obtained death certificates of workers who had died between
1946-1994.
We compared the number of deaths from heart disease in workers
to the number of deaths which would be expected in a similar
population of the United States and New York City (NYC).
These
are the study results
Among workers in the chemicals department, we expected between 14
and 15 deaths from heart disease, but found 22. This was 1½
times more deaths than expected when compared to U. S. death
rates and 20% more deaths than expected when compared to NYC
death rates.
For workers in the chemicals department less than 50 years old,
we expected between 3 and 4 deaths, but found 9. This was
2½ times more deaths than expected using U.S. death
rates and 2 times more deaths than expected using NYC death
rates.
For workers at the plant who were "possibly exposed"
or "probably not exposed" to rubber chemicals, there
was no increased risk of heart disease.
Conclusions of the study
Workers definitely exposed in the chemicals department had a greater
risk of heart disease than expected, especially those workers
under 50 years of age.
Factors that may be involved in the increase in heart disease include
chemical exposures, other factors at work (such as rotating
shifts), or factors outside of work.
Based on the results of this study, the observed increase in heart
disease can not be attributed to any specific factors, either
inside or outside the tire and rubber plant.
We recommend that all possible exposures that may increase the
risk of heart disease be monitored and evaluated, and be reduced
or eliminated, if possible.
For more information about the study, please contact
At NIOSH: 1-800-356-4674, toll free
Robert A. Taft Laboratories
4676 Columbia Parkway
Cincinnati, Ohio 45226
Thank you for taking the time to read this information.
To receive a copy of the study report or other information about
occupational safety and health topics, contact NIOSH at
NIOSH Publications
4676 Columbia Parkway
Cincinnati, OH
45226-1998
Telephone: 1-800-356-4674
E-mail: pubstaft@cdc.gov
Web site: www.cdc.gov/niosh