Cancer mortality in U.S. counties with plastics and related industries

Abstract

Counties in the United States have been identified with chemical establishments whose primary manufacturing processes use vinyl chloride. Site specific cancer mortality comparisons have revealed an excess of multiple myeloma in males associated with two of the manufacturing categories, synthetic rubber and synthetic fibers. A causal relationship between these manufacturing categories and multiple myeloma could not be established. An industry based assessment of the occupational contribution to this excess is needed to evaluate the etiologic importance of this relationship.