THE ASSOCIATION OF LUNG CANCER MORTALITY WITH JOB TITLE AND WORK LOCATION IN UNIONIZED TRUCKING EMPLOYEES 1985–2000

Abstract

ISEE-179 Introduction: Exposure to fine combustion particles has been associated with lung cancer mortality. Trucking industry workers are exposed to vehicle combustion products from diesel, gasoline and propane, in proportions depending on job title, work site, and calendar year of exposure. Methods: With the cooperation of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and four national trucking companies, work history information was obtained for 55,562 male trucking industry employees working in 1985 with a mean (sd) of 21 (9) years of employment through 2000. Using the National Death Index, 830 lung cancer deaths (96% of the total) were identified through 2000 among the 32,637 employees age 40 or older at baseline. Terminal size was defined by the population assigned to that freight terminal in 1985, and ranged from less than 44 employees (the lowest quartile) to more than 500 workers. Jobs in this industry are relatively stable, therefore occupational exposure was categorized based on job title in 1985. Results: Adjusting for age, race, years of work, company, and U.S. Census region (based on last residence), similar risks of lung cancer were observed for long haul drivers, dockworkers and shop workers. The lowest risks were observed for clerks. The highest risk was observed for workers whose duties included city driving, the relative risk (RR) compared to long-haul drivers was 1.16 (95% confidence intervals (CI)=0.96, 1.41). There was a trend of increasing risk in this group associated with employment at larger terminals, a possible marker of local traffic. At the largest terminals, the RR for city drivers compared to long-haul drivers was 1.49 95% (CI=1.01, 2.19). Relative risks also varied by Census region, mirroring differences in regional smoking rates, with risks highest in the Midwest. Conclusions: Lung cancer mortality was influenced by job title, terminal characteristics, and Census region. The highest risks were observed for drivers exposed to city traffic and freshly generated vehicle exhaust. Because cigarette smoking was not directly measured these results must be interpreted cautiously.