Alcan Québec, a Study of Mortality in Québec Aluminum Smelter Workers

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Theme
Organizations
Description of project
Years
Number of records or individuals for the cohort
Main investigator(s)
Project coordination
Project numbers
Publications

Theme

Occupation – Alcan Workers – Québec

Organization(s)

Safety Health Environment International Consultants Corporation (for Alcan Inc.)

Description of project

The purposes of this study were to determine: a) if the mortality from specific causes, in particular those identified as possible concerns in the original study of the Quebec cohorts, were still increased in comparison to Quebec provincial rates; b) if cancer mortality risks which have been suggested as being increased in aluminium smelter workers on the basis of other studies, have validity; and c) if the causes of death identified were related to coal tar pitch volatile exposures.

The long-term nature of this study will provide more accurate information on the deaths due to cancer and on significant risk factors which could lead the industry to improving its processes, developing appropriate preventive strategies and reducing and controlling exposure to hazardous carcinogens.

Years

Death years: 1950– 1999

Number of records or individuals for the cohort

17,722 individuals (both sexes) - 16,744 men; 978 women

Main investigator(s)

Dr. Graham Gibbs, Safety Health Environment International Consultants Corporation

Project coordination

Martha Fair, Maureen Carpenter and Dores Zuccarini, Occupational and Environmental Health Research Section, Health Statistics Division, Statistics Canada

Project number(s)

2002-003

Publications

Gibbs GW, Horowitz I. Lung cancer mortality in aluminium reduction plant workers. Journal of Occupational Medicine 1979; 21(5): 347-353.

Gibbs GW. Mortality experience in eastern Canada. In: Hughes JP, editor. Health Protection in Primary Aluminum Production. Vol.2; 1981 September. London, England: International Primary Aluminum Institute; 1982 March. p. 56-69.

Gibbs GW. Mortality of aluminium reduction plant workers, 1950 through 1997. Journal of Occupational Medicine 1985; 27(10): 761-770.

International Agency for Research on Cancer. Overall Evaluations of Carcinogenicity: An Updating of IARC Monographs Volume 1 to 42.IARC – Summaries and Evaluations. Aluminum Production (Group 1). Supplement 7. Lyon, France: IARC; 1987. p. 89.

Armstrong B, Tremblay C, Baris D, Thériault G. Lung cancer mortality and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons: a case-control study of aluminum production workers in Arvida, Quebec, Canada . American Journal of Epidemiology 1994; 139(3): 250-262.

Gibbs GW. Estimating residential polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) related lung cancer risks using occupational data. Annals of Occupational Hygiene 1997; 41 (Suppl 1): 49-53.

Gibbs GW. Occupational cancer overview: Aluminum reduction. In: Priest ND , O’Donnell TV, editors. Managing Health in the Aluminium Industry. London, England: Middlesex University Press; 1999. Chapter 12; p. 135-153.

I Gibbs GW. Assessment of community health risks – The case of lung cancer and aluminum smelter emissions. In: Priest ND , O’Donnell TV, editors. Managing Health in the Aluminium Industry. London, England: Middlesex University Press; 1999. Chapter 14; p. 160-175.

Armstrong B, Hutchison E, Fletcher T. Cancer Risk Following Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): A Meta-analysis. London, England: Health and Safety Executive; 2003. Research Report No.: 068.