A study of cancer mortality in chemical workers involved in manufacturing chemicals used in the production of cellulose-triacetate was conducted. The cohort consisted of 1,359 persons, 1,096 males, employed for at least 6 months on or after January 1, 1952, at the Hoechst Celanese chemical factory, Pampa, Texas. The workers were involved in the production of acetic-acid (64197) and acetic-anhydride (108247), used in cellulose-triacetate synthesis. The cohort was followed to December 31, 1991, at which time the vital status of the subjects was determined. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were computed for causes of death of the decedents using general mortality rates of the US, the State of Texas, and region-I and region-II of Texas as the reference populations. SMRs computed using US mortality rates were presented, as the SMRs computed using Texas mortality rates were similar. Mortality from all causes, heart disease, and nonmalignant respiratory disease was significantly decreased, SMRs of 68.0, 61.7, and 21.2, respectively. Mortality from all cancers was nonsignificantly decreased, SMR of 79.9. Mortality from prostate cancer was significantly increased, SMR of 330.4; however, this was based on only six deaths. When examined by length of employment, only workers who had been employed at the facility for less than 10 years showed a significant increase in prostate cancer mortality, SMR of 452.5. When the influence of latency was examined, all six prostate cancer deaths occurred 20 years or more after first employment. No exposure measurements were made for acetic-acid or acetic-anhydride for most of the study period. Recent industrial hygiene monitoring data showed that both acetic-acid and acetic-anhydride exposures were well below recommended standards. For acetic-acid, the 8 hour time weighted average exposures varied from 0.1 to 1.2 parts per million. The TWA exposures to acetic-anhydride were below the detection limit. The authors conclude that the apparent increase in prostate cancer mortality is difficult to interpret, especially in view of recent studies which have found that exposure to certain chemicals may interfere with the endocrine system. These chemicals by interacting with endogenous hormones could adversely affect the prostate.

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