Background: This study was carried out in response to worker concerns over their exposure to lead solder and chlorinated solvents at automotive electronics manufacturing plants in Huntsville, Alabama.
Methods: A study of 4396 United Autoworkers members ever-employed at the plants between 1972 and 1993 was conducted with mortality follow-up through 2016. Poisson regression was used to estimate mortality rate ratios (RR) according to employment characteristics, including calendar period of employment.
Results: Pre-1977 hires exhibited elevated adjusted rates of all-cause (RR, 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-1.52), cardiovascular (RR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.03-1.86), and digestive system (RR, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.04-5.10) disease mortality relative to the most recent hire group (1984-1993). Never- versus ever-employment in a skilled trade job was associated with elevated adjusted rates of all-cause, all-cancer, and cardiovascular disease mortality. Nervous system disorder mortality was greatest among 1977-1983 hires.
Conclusions: Elevated mortality among pre-1977 hires is consistent with worker concerns over greater exposure to hazards at the original plant building.
Keywords: 1,1,1-trichloroethane; autoworker; electronics manufacturing; lead solder; mortality; occupational cohort; trichloroethylene.
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