Cancer mortality and exposure to nickel and chromium compounds in a cohort of Italian electroplaters.

BACKGROUND: Nickel and chromium-VI compounds are carcinogens for lung cancer, although it is still debated if there is an increased risk at low levels of exposure and for other cancers.

METHODS: In a cohort of 2991 Italian electroplaters, a proportion of whom were exposed to low levels of nickel and/or chromium, cumulative exposure to their compounds was obtained by multiplying average concentrations of the metals in each electroplating tank by duration of employment in the company. The association of exposure to compounds with mortality was assessed by multivariable Cox models.

RESULTS: No cancer site was associated with chromium exposure controlling for nickel, whereas exposure to nickel significantly increased mortality from lung, rectal, and kidney cancers, even after adjusting for exposure to chromium.

CONCLUSIONS: Study results suggest that exposure to nickel compounds may increase the risk of lung cancer even below its occupational exposure limit and indicate possible associations with other cancer sites.