Environmental epidemiologic investigations in the styrene-butadiene rubber production industry.

A review of the literature and an update that is in progress of a previous retrospective cohort mortality study of the styrene-1,3-butadiene industry are discussed. The follow-up has now been extended from April 1, 1976, through December 31, 1981, for plant B and December 31, 1982, for plant A. The person-years at risk of death have gone from 34,187 to 43,341 in plant A and from 19,742 to 26,314 in plant B. Among the death certificates received to date, observed deaths have increased in both plants, with increases in cancers of the trachea, bronchus and lung and in lymphosarcomas, reticulosarcomas, and cancers of the overall lymphatic and hematopoietic system.