COTTAGE GROVE, Minn., Mar 6, 2008 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Exposure to the
artificial acid C8 may increase death risks from stroke and prostate cancer in
chemical plant workers, a study in Minnesota found.
In a study submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, high death
rates were found among 4,000 workers at 3M's chemical plant in Cottage Grove,
Minn., The Charleston (W.Va.) Gazette reported.
Employees exposed to C8 did not show a high risk of death when compared to the
overall Minnesota population, but did show an increase when compared to other
plant employees with little to no exposure.
The study showed the "risk of death from prostate cancer and (stroke) was
elevated for workers with higher estimated exposure."
Two hundred percent more deaths than statistically expected were found in highly
exposed workers, the report said.
Results of the study reportedly confirm the findings of a 1993 study 3M claimed
was inaccurate, and contribute to an increasing collection of research that
questions the safety of C8.
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