259131 A PMR and PCMR analysis of radiation and mesothelioma in the United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Herman Gibb, PhD, MPH , Tetra Tech Sciences, Arlington, VA
Keri Fulcher, MS , Tetra Tech Sciences, Arlington, VA
Sumitha Nagarajan, MPH , Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, Washington, DC
Stacey McCord, MS , College of Pharmacy, U.S. Transuranium and Uranium Registries, Washington State University, Richland, WA
Heather Hoffman, PhD , Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
Naz Afarin Fallhian, PhD , Department of Physics & Engineering Technology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg, PA
Sergei Tolmachev, PhD , College of Pharmacy, U.S. Transuranium and Uranium Registries, Washington State University, Richland, WA
Objectives. This study examined the relationship between radiation and excess deaths from mesothelioma among former nuclear workers. Methods. PMR and PCMR analysis was performed using the NIOSH Life Table Analysis System. Frequency analysis was performed utilizing SAS 9.1 software. Results. A PMR of 62.40 (p<0.05) and a PCMR of 46.92 (p<0.05) were found for mesothelioma. PMRs for the four external cumulative external radiation dose quartiles were 61.83, 57.43, 74.46, and 83.31. PCMRs were 36.16, 47.07, 51.35, and 67.73. The PMR and PCMR for trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer were not significantly elevated. Conclusions. The exposure response relationship between cumulative external radiation dose and the PMR and PCMR for mesothelioma suggest that external radiation at nuclear facilities is associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma. The lack of a significantly elevated PMR and PCMR for trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer suggests that asbestos did not confound this relationship.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Occupational health and safety

Learning Objectives:
1. List three studies of the mesothelioma risk from radiation exposure and describe the type of radiation exposure. 2. Discuss different metrics of radiation exposure and why some may be associated with mesothelioma risk and others may not. 3. Describe the United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries and its potential as a resource for research. 4. Compare risks of mesothelioma among different occupations and how they compare to the risks of mesothelioma following radiation exposure. 5. Formulate research questions to be addressed in future studies of radiation and mesothelioma. 6. Explain differences in mesothelioma risk associated with different types of asbestos and how that may affect risks among nuclear workers.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I work full-time at Tetra Tech Sciences as an epidemiologist and have been heavily involved in the conduct of this study including data management, statistical analysis and composition of the abstract and journal manuscript. I will receive a MS in Epidemiology in May 2012.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4355.0: Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology Poster Session 2