Epidemiology data of a cancer in women workers of copper-ore concentration factory

Introduction
Within a greatest concern in the copper refining and smelting industry are occupational exposures to known carcinogens, including benzo[a]pyrene, non-organic compounds of nickel, arsenic, and cadmium. Previous epidemiological studies have shown that exposures involved in smelting, converting, the fire and electrolytic refining of copper has a carcinogenic risk for male workers. in the copper ore-concentration for more than half of workers are women. However, the extent of cancer risk associated with copper-ore concentration for women workwrs is uncertain.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective cohort mortality study of a copper-ore concentration factory workers, with follow-up for >30 years, among copper production workers in a smelter plant, located in the Sverdlovsk region (Russia). The cohorts included 5000 women. Observed and expected cancer mortality was determined in reference to residents of the community are not employed at the copper-ore concentration factory.

Results
Female workers in the copper-ore concentration factory experienced ‘all cancer’ mortality that was 2.4 times the expected rate. The largest relative excesses in the copper-ore concentration factory were found for digestive apparatus cancer (SMR=3.8), including intestine (SMR=8.2), and stomach cancer (SMR=2.8). The high relative excesses in the copper-ore concentration factory were too found for breast cancer (SMR=2.2) and tumors of female genital organs (SMR=1.9). The working conditions of the copper-ore concentration factory are characterized with the influence of dust contains crystalline silicon dioxide, nickel and arsenic compounds. The tenfold excess to death-rate of the workers from the digestive system (stomach etc.) can be explained by barrier function ones in case contact of the worker organism with the dust.

Discussion
Thus, the investigation results argue about carcinogenic danger of copper-ore concentration process technology for women workers. The dust contains crystalline silicon dioxide, nickel and arsenic compounds is the most likely causal factor for many of these excesses.