Mortality in a region surrounding an arsenic emitting plant

The purpose of the investigation is to study whether an increased mortality from certain causes exists in an area around the Rönnskärsverken smelter works in northern Sweden. Founded in 1928, this metallurgical plant processing mainly nonferrous metals has since its initial operations been using ore with a high arsenic content. This has resulted in environmental pollution to air and water of arsenic, as well as other metals and sulfur dioxide. The causes of death for the population of two parishes in the vicinity of the plant were listed from the National Sedish Register on Death Causes. A reference area in the same part of Sweden with similar degree of urbanization, occupational profile, and age distribution was chosen. The causes of death for the two populations were followed during a period of 14 yr. A significantly higher mortality rate for lung cancer was noted in men in the exposed area. However, this increase was no longer significant when the occupationally exposed at Rönnskärsverken were excluded. The latter showed a highly significant excess mortality due to primary respiratory cancer. A continuation of this investigation in the form of a cohort study of both the mortality and cancer incidence is currently under way.