Occupational disease in the rubber industry.

We have studied mortality patterns in a large cohort of rubber workers. We have examined workers exposed to curing fumes, processing dusts, and industrial talc and have begun to evaluate exposures of these workers in detail. Gastrointestinal (especially stomach) cancer appears in excess in processing workers. Lung cancer is excessive in curing workers. Leukemia is increased generally. All three groups studied for respiratory disease have an increase in disease prevalence which is related to intensity and duration of exposure. Since both an increase in stomach cancer and respiratory disease is seen in processing workers, exposures in this area must be controlled. Since both lung cancer and chronic respiratory disease is excessive in curing rooms, this exposure must be controlled. The leukemia risk is probably related to solvents. Whether this is all explainable by past benzene exposure is unknown. Further studies are planned to refine our knowledge concerning these risks so that occupational disease in the rubber industry can be prevented.