0000000000535050
AUTHOR
Pietro Comba
0109 Health effects of exposure to arsenic: a 39 years cohort study in manfredonia, italy
Background On September 26th 1976 an accident occurred in a chemical plant located in Manfredonia (Apulia region, Italy) where Caprolactam (plastic) and Urea (fertilisers) were produced. More than 12 tons of arsenic compounds, used in the production of Urea, were released in the atmosphere, contaminating the plant and surrounding areas. Our study investigates late effects of arsenic exposure among workers present on the day of the accident and during the site clearance. Methods We performed a historical cohort study including 1467 workers (39 females). Follow-up was performed by contacting municipalities of residence in Italy. Death certificates were collected. End of follow-up was either d…
Long-term effect of arsenic exposure: Results from an occupational cohort study
Background In 1976 in Manfredonia (Italy), arsenic was released into the atmosphere due to an accident in a petrochemical plant. We aimed to analyze the mortality of workers involved in the factory for the site cleaning activities. Methods The cohort consisted of 1467 workers grouped into contract, fertilizer, and plastic workers. The outcome of interest was mortality for specific causes. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were computed. Results For all workers and all causes of death combined, the SMR was less than 1.0. Mortality ratios were increased for malignant neoplasms of the pleura, bone and melanoma of the skin. Contract workers, the group most…