Cancer Mortality in United States Counties with Metal Electroplating Industries

Abstract

A survey of cancer mortality from 1950 to 1969 was conducted in U.S. counties where greater than 0.1% of the county's population was employed in the metal electroplating and coating industry. The mortality rates for several cancers, particularly of the esophagus and larynx, in these counties were higher than rates for a group of control counties with comparable demographic characteristics. Further study is needed to determine if these patterns result for worker exposures to substances such as caustic acids and alkalies, metals, and organic solvents commonly used in this industry.