FOOD-PROCESSING-INDUSTRY

MORTALITY OF BUTCHERS AND COOKS IDENTIFIED FROM THE 1961 CENSUS OF ENGLAND AND WALES

A retrospective cohort study was conducted of men who reported working as butchers and cooks during the 1961 census of England and Wales to trace a suspected relationship between lung cancer and workers in these occupations. Mortality for all causes was significantly below the national norm in both groups, largely explained by a shortfall of deaths from cancer and circulatory disease. Lung cancer mortality was close to that expected in the butchers and below that expected in the cooks. Cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx were increased in the cooks; however, this was thought to be linked to increased alcohol consumption. The authors conclude that the data presents no conclusive evidence of an occupational hazard of lung cancer in either of these two working groups.

Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 52(3):157-159, 1995. (19 references)

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