𝔖 Bobbio Scriptorium
✦   LIBER   ✦

Mortality patterns among embalmers

✍ Scribed by Judy Walrath; Joseph F. Fraumeni Jr.

Book ID
102869221
Publisher
John Wiley and Sons
Year
1983
Tongue
French
Weight
502 KB
Volume
31
Category
Article
ISSN
0020-7136

No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

In view of recent findings of nasal cancer in rats exposed to formaldehyde vapors, we investigated the proportionate mortality experience of embalmers licensed to practice in New York State. Mortality was significantly elevated for cancers of the skin and colon and for arterio‐sclerotic heart disease, whereas significant deficits were seen in mortality from respiratory diseases and accidents. Respiratory cancer mortality was not excessive and no deaths were attributed to nasal cancer. Mortality was significantly elevated for cancers of the skin, kidney, and brain among those licensed only as embalmers, whereas mortality patterns were unremarkable among those licensed also as funeral directors (and presumably less exposed to formaldehyde). These preliminary results indicate the need for occupational cohort studies to clarify the carcinogenic potential of formaldehyde.

πŸ“œ SIMILAR VOLUMES

Mortality of U.S. Embalmers and funeral
Mortality of U.S. Embalmers and funeral directors
✍ Dr. Richard B. Hayes; Aaron Blair; Patricia A. Stewart; Robert F. Herrick; Harry πŸ“‚ Article πŸ“… 1990 πŸ› John Wiley and Sons 🌐 English βš– 731 KB

The causes of mortality of 3,649 white and 397 non-white male U.S. embalmers and funeral directors, who had died between 1975 and 1985, were examined in a proportional mortality study. Non-significant excesses were found for malignancies of the buccal cavity and pharynx (PMR = 120) and for nasophary