Occurrence of lung cancer in workers producing chromium pigments.

The results of a follow-up study on the incidence of lung cancer in 133 workers producing zinc chromate pigments are presented. By the end of 1972 three cases of lung cancer had occurred in a sub-cohort of 24 workers who had been employed for over three years. The same group of workers has now been followed up to December 1980 and three further cases of lung cancer were found. The observed/expected ratio was 44 in this group, virtually the same as at the end of 1972. Five of the six patients smoked. Only one had been exposed to chromates other than zinc chromates.