Cancer Mortality In The British Rubber Industry: 1946-80 - (1986)

Cancer Mortality in the British Rubber Industry: A Comprehensive Legal Perspective

Abstract
The study "Cancer Mortality in the British Rubber Industry: 1946-80" by Sorahan, Parkes, Veys, and Waterhouse, published in the British Journal of Industrial Medicine in 1986, examines cancer mortality among 36,445 male rubber workers employed between 1946 and 1960. Using Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMRs), the researchers compared observed deaths in the cohort to expected deaths based on national rates. The findings revealed significant excess mortality from stomach cancer (SMR = 115), liver cancer (SMR = 172), lung cancer (SMR = 133), and all neoplasms combined (SMR = 115). Conversely, deficits in prostate cancer (SMR = 74) and testicular cancer were noted. This study highlights the occupational hazards faced by rubber industry workers and provides critical data for understanding long-term health risks associated with industrial exposures.

Legal Relevance
This study is a cornerstone for legal claims involving occupational cancer in the rubber industry. It provides robust evidence linking specific cancers to workplace exposures, supporting claims of negligence by employers who failed to protect workers from hazardous conditions. The use of SMRs strengthens the argument by quantifying the increased risk of cancer among workers compared to the general population.

For legal cases, the study can:

• Establish causation between occupational exposure and cancer development.
• Highlight the failure of employers to implement safety measures despite known risks.
• Counter defense arguments by demonstrating statistically significant cancer risks in rubber workers.

The study’s historical context is particularly valuable for cases involving individuals exposed before modern safety regulations were enacted. It underscores the long latency period of occupational cancers, which often manifest decades after exposure.

Occupation Groups at Risk
The findings of this study are particularly relevant to the following occupations:

1. Rubber Factory Workers: Direct exposure to toxic chemicals and dust during manufacturing processes.
2. Tyre Manufacturers: High exposure to rubber dust and fumes during tire production.
3. General Rubber Goods Workers: Involved in producing non-tyre rubber products, often exposed to similar hazards.
4. Maintenance Workers in Rubber Plants: Regular contact with contaminated machinery and environments.
5. Chemical Handlers in Rubber Production: Exposure to carcinogenic substances used in rubber processing.

These groups faced prolonged exposure to hazardous substances, increasing their risk of developing cancers such as lung, stomach, and liver cancer.

Current Medical Understanding
The study aligns with current knowledge about occupational cancer risks in the rubber industry. It reinforces the understanding that prolonged exposure to industrial chemicals and dust significantly increases cancer risks. While modern safety regulations have reduced these risks, the study remains a critical reference for historical exposures and their long-term health consequences.

Citation
Sorahan, T., Parkes, H.G., Veys, C.A., & Waterhouse, J.A. (1986). Cancer mortality in the British rubber industry: 1946-80. British Journal of Industrial Medicine, 43(6), 363-373. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.43.6.363

National Library of Medicine Link
For further details, access the study on the National Library of Medicine: Cancer Mortality in the British Rubber Industry.

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