Mortality incidence at two Detroit area engine factories was examined. Of 1,870 deceased people whose death certificates were available, 802 qualified as controls for proportional mortality ratio (PMR) and odds ratio (OR) analysis. PMR analyses found an excess of deaths from diabetes for white men in both factories, but few deaths from respiratory diseases. Black men showed few deaths from diabetes, but more than expected emphysema deaths at both factories. Suicide was significantly increased among all men and women. A significant exposure response relationship for stomach cancer occurred among camshaft/crankshaft workers in Factory-A (OR 5.1), but not the larger and older Factory-B. Pancreatic cancer mortality risk increased for workers employed in inspection (OR 6.4), machining with straight oil (OR 3.6), or skilled trades work (OR 2.9). Duration of millwright work increased lung cancer risk (OR 3.8). Associations were observed between machining fluid exposures and specific causes of death such as an increase in diabetes mortality among workers employed in machining with straight oil (OR 6.9), and an increase in the risk of stroke (OR 6.7) among workers involved in grinding with machine fluid. Overall, risk rates were elevated factory wide in PMR analyses. The authors conclude that work related risks were found for some exposure groups that may have contributed to deaths.

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