Jonathan N. Hofmann, MPH Candidate¹, Jorge Guardado², Matthew Keifer, MD, MPH³, and Catharina Wesseling². (1) Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Box 357234, Seattle, WA 98195-7234, 206-579-2370, hofmann@u.washington.edu, (2) Central American Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances, Universidad Nacional, Apartado 86, Heredia, Costa Rica, (3) Dep Env & Occ Hlth Sciences and Int Scholars Occ Env Hlth, University of Washington, Box 357234, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7234

The nematocide 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) was widely used in the United States and abroad during the late 1960’s and 1970’s. Today DBCP is known to cause sterility in men and is classified as a possible carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Previous epidemiologic studies have been limited in their ability to detect associations between DBCP exposure and mortality outcomes. In this retrospective cohort study, we characterize the mortality experience of a previously studied cohort of Costa Rican banana plantation workers that has been expanded and updated. The cohort includes 40,964 individuals who worked on banana plantations between 1972 and 1979. Work records were linked with the Costa Rican Mortality Registry to determine outcomes through 1999. Observed deaths in the cohort were compared to expected deaths based on national mortality rates in Costa Rica. Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMRs) were calculated for all causes of death combined, and also for the specific causes of death that may be associated with employment on banana plantations and exposure to DBCP. Initial analysis showed an all-causes SMR of 0.77 for men (95% CI 0.74-0.79) and 0.89 for women (95% CI 0.78-1.0). Though preliminary results for specific causes of death were inconclusive, slight excesses in the number of deaths due to testicular cancer (SMR=1.44) and penile cancer (SMR=2.19) were observed. The risk of death from injurious events (e.g. accidents, suicide, and homicide) was greater than expected for both men (SMR=1.15; 95% CI 1.07-1.22) and women (SMR=2.13; 95% CI 1.51-2.74).

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, the participant in the session will be able to

• Describe some of the health risks and conditions associated with employment on banana plantations in Costa Rica.
• Understand how employment records and mortality registry data can be used to conduct epidemiologic research in Costa Rica.
• Conduct similar epidemiologic studies on occupational and environmental exposures in developing countries.

Awards: Student Achievement Award - Recipient

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.