A cohort mortality study of RFP workers was conducted to test for an association between mortality and exposure to plutonium. The analysis described in the publication focused on 5,413 white male workers employed for 2 or more years between 1951 and 1979. Fewer deaths than expected were found for all causes of death, all cancers, and lung cancer. No bone cancer was observed. An excess of brain tumors was found. Elevated rate ratios for all causes of death and all lymphopoietic neoplasms were found when workers with plutonium body burdens greater than or equal to 2 nanocuries (nCi) were compared to those with body burdens less than 2 nCi. No elevated rate ratios were noted for bone and liver cancers.
The single analytic file (ANFILE) in this data set contains demographic and exposure data for 7,616 white males initially employed by RFP between 1951 (construction phase) and the end of 1979. Females, nonwhite males, and workers with missing sex or race were not included in the analytic file. Data pertaining to each worker's exposure to external ionizing radiation include: monitoring status and the date it was determined, date of first monitoring, and dates of achieving 1 rem, 5 rems, and 10 rems cumulative external whole-body doses through 1978. Dates of exposure to plutonium-239 cover years 1952 (partial year) through 1977 and include monitoring status, date of first urine bioassay sample, dates of first achieving body burdens of 2 nCi and 5 nCi, and the fraction of maximum permissible body burdens of plutonium acquired as of December 1977.
Vital status was ascertained for 98.9% of the 5,413 white males employed for 2 or more years through December 31, 1979, the study end date. There were 409 deaths identified in this group.
RFP has been a weapons production facility since 1952. Sources of occupational exposure include external radiation, both gamma and neutron, and potential for internal deposition of plutonium-239. Film dosimeters and thermoluminescent dosimeters were used to monitor for external radiation. Formal bioassay programs to monitor for internal exposures were begun in 1952. Results of both types of monitoring programs reflect technological improvements and changes in concepts and models during these years.
VER_DATE Data provided to CEDR (Comprehensive Epidemiologic Data Resource) 01/29/91 (analytic file was frozen at time of original analysis)./
END_STDY Vital status follow-up through 12/31/79 is 98. 9% complete for white males employed at least two years. Follow-up is less complete for other workers in this file. /
ENDPOINTS Mortality