An Occupational Morbidity Study of a Population Potentially Exposed to Epoxy Resins, Hardeners, and Solvents

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Abstract
A morbidity study was conducted to follow up on a concern of workers that employees in a special process involving the potential for exposure to epoxy resins and solvents were experiencing a higher than normal incidence of cancer. A questionnaire was developed to collect information specific to the exposure to these resins and solvents, demographic data, information concerning medical history, especially the incidence of several types of cancer, educational and occupational history, and information on tobacco and alcohol use. Telephone interviews were conducted with 263 workers judged to have worked closest to the process for the longest amount of time. A comparison group of 271 plant workers who did not work in the process was also interviewed. A total of 12 cancers was reported by process workers versus 7 reported by nonprocess workers. This difference was not statistically significant. Evaluating the site-specific cancers, we concluded that the largest difference between the groups appeared to be the incidence of bladder cancer. Five bladder cancers were reported in the process workers and none in the comparison workers. This difference was statistically significant. The process workers also reported significantly more rashes, dizziness, and numb or tingling limbs during employment, which are all symptoms of high solvent exposure. Kidney stones were also elevated in the process workers. Although one of the epoxy resins used in the early years of the process is potentially a bladder carcinogen, none of the five bladder cancer cases in this study ever had a job that required routine, hands-on work with this material. It was not possible to identify one specific agent or job duty that could be labeled as the causative factor for the bladder cancers. Cragle, D.L.; Wells, S.M.; Tankersley, W.G.: An Occupational Morbidity Study of a Population Potentially Exposed to Epoxy Resins, Hardeners, and Solvents. Appl. Occup. Environ. Hyg. 7(12):826–834; 1992.