Causes of Death and Incidence of Cancer in a Cohort of Australian Pesticide-Exposed Workers

Purpose

To determine the rates of mortality and of cancer incidence in a cohort of pesticide-exposed Australian workers.

Methods

The study cohort was assembled using records of former government occupational health surveillance programs. The cohort was then linked to the Australian national registries of cancer and mortality and analyzed in comparison with the general Australian population.

Results

Consistent with a healthy worker effect, we found no overall excesses in mortality or incident cancer. Non–injury-related causes of death were less than expected; however, non-intentional poisoning and suicide mortality were significantly elevated. All types of suicide were elevated, and firearm suicide deaths were significantly in excess. The suicides by poisoning were predominantly associated with pesticides, although other published research suggests this pattern is more often associated with developing countries.

Conclusions

This study did not find evidence of a relationship between occupational pesticide exposure and cancer or non–injury-related mortality. However, accidental poisoning and intentional self-harm warrant further investigation.

Key Words: Occupational Exposure, Pesticides, Insecticides, Cause of Death, Mortality, Neoplasms, Cohort Studies

Selected Abbreviations and Acronyms: AIHW, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, NDI, (Australian) National Death Index, NCSCH, (Australian) National Cancer Statistics Clearing House, SMR, standardized mortality ratio, SIR, standardized incidence ratio, OP, organophosphate