An Occupational Morbidity Study of a Population Potentially Exposed to Epoxy Resins, Hardeners, and Solvents

Abstract A morbidity study was conducted to follow up on a concern of workers that employees in a special process involving the potential for exposure to epoxy resins and solvents were experiencing a higher than normal incidence of cancer. A questionnaire was developed to collect information specific to the exposure to these resins and solvents, demographic data, information concerning medical history, especially the incidence of several types of cancer, educational and occupational history, and information on tobacco and alcohol use. Telephone interviews were conducted with 263 workers judged to have worked closest to the process for the longest amount of time. A comparison group of 271 plant workers who did not work in the process was also interviewed. A total of 12 cancers was reported by process workers versus 7 reported by nonprocess workers. This difference was not statistically significant. Evaluating the site-specific cancers, we concluded that the largest difference between the groups appeared to...