Treated landscape timbers12/31/2023 The authors of this study conclude that exposure to dust from such wood is not associated with increased risk of total cancer, lung cancer or lymphatic cancer. The study covered periods both before and after Wolmanized wood was introduced in Hawaii. In Hawaii, where over 45,000 homes had been built almost entirely of Wolmanized wood, a study was conducted by the Pacific Biomedical Research Center of the University of Hawaii to determine any possible effect on the health of carpenters. The authors conclude that this study indicated no adverse health effects or increased incidence of mortality resulting from exposure to wood preservative chemicals in the treatment workers evaluated. The ages at time of diagnosis were 56, 63 and 73, respectively. Three cases of cancer were known, one of bladder cancer and two of colorectal cancer. In fact, six deaths were known five from cardiovascular causes and one of unknown causes in the Philippines. These deaths would have included 4 from cardiovascular causes, 3 from cancer and 1 of other causes. Records for 125 of the 182 wood treaters were available for the 21 year period, for whom the authors calculate eight deaths would have been expected. Additionally, 31 responded to the study inquiry but declined to participate, 15 had moved off the island of Oahu but were known to be alive, 11 could not be contacted although they were reported as living, six were known to be dead and for 31 there was no information. The 88 who participated in the clinical study in 1982 were obviously alive in November 1981. The 12 men who had ever been employed in the Hawaiian wood treating industry for at least three months during the period January 1960 to November 1981 constituted the study population. Historical Prospective Mortality Study and Cancer Morbidity The authors concluded that review of all organ systems and laboratory data showed no clinically significant differences between exposed and nonexposed cohorts. Special analyses of specific findings versus pesticide residue levels found no associations. Treaters and non-treaters did not differ in reproductive history (number of children fathered), recent health history, physical or neurological findings, with the exception that treaters more frequently reported stiffness or welling in the joints (25 percent vs. The authors report significant differences between treaters and non-treaters in serum protein levels, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, left eye pressure and skinfold thickness at the scapula. Urine arsenic levels were lower for white treaters than for others, and urine penta levels were higher for non-white treaters than for others. Urinary chromium levels were above laboratory norms for both groups. Urine pesticide residue studies found greater penta levels in the wood-treater group than in the controls, no detectable tin levels in any sample and no statistically significant difference between the groups in levels of the other metals. Thirty-three of the 88 workers had over 10 years employment. The duration of wood treating employment was from 4 months to over 26 years with a median of 6.5 years. The other 94 included those who died (6), left the island (15), were unavailable (42), refused (31) or did not meet the criteria. Each examinee had completed at home two general health questionnaires and a seven day diet and medication report.Įighty-eight of the men known ever to have worked as wood treaters in Hawaii between 19 participated in this study. A physical and neurological examination was conducted by the project physician and a first morning voiding urine was examined for levels of arsenic, copper, chromium, penta and tin. Clinical laboratory tests included a complete blood count, biochemical profile and a urinalysis. Physiological tests included height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, skinfold thickness test, hearing test, visual acuity, peripheral and color vision and tine test for tuberculosis. Matched controls were not found for thirty study cohort members.Įxamination included a nurse interview on work history, pesticide exposure, reproductive history, recent (one year) health history and personal lifestyle habits. Controls were chosen from friends of wood treaters or from members of other craft or industrial unions. Fifty-eight matched controls and three unmatched controls were chosen of similar age (+/- 5 years), race, sex, weight (+/- 10 lbs) and level of physical activity. The study cohort consisted of 66 men currently employed as wood treaters for at least the three months prior to examination and 22 men who had worked at least 12 months as wood treaters since 1960, had at least 3 months continuous service, and were currently not wood treaters. Pacific Health Research Institute, 1981 Cohort-Comparison Health Examination Effects of Chemical Preservatives on the Health of Wood Treating Workers in Hawaii
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