Quantitative risk assessment for lung cancer from exposure to metal ore dust.

To quantitatively assess risk for lung cancer of metal miners, a historical cohort study was conducted. The cohort consisted of 1113 miners who were employed to underground work for at least 12 months between January 1, 1960 and December 12, 1974. According to the records of dust concentration, a cumulative dust dose of each miner in the cohort was estimated. There were 162 deaths in total and 45 deaths from lung cancer with a SMR of 2184. The SMR for lung cancer increased from 1019 for those with cumulative dust dose of less than 500 mg-year to 2469 for those with the dose of greater than 4500 mg-year. Furthermore, the risk in the highest category of combined cumulative dust dose and cigarette smoking was 46-fold greater than the lowest category of dust dose and smoking. This study showed that there was an exposure-response relationship between metal ore dust and lung cancer, and an interaction of lung cancer between smoking and metal ore dust exposure.