Lung Cancer in Chloromethyl Methyl Ether Workers

Abstract

An increased incidence of lung cancer (about eight times) occurred among men exposed to chloromethyl methyl ether at a chemical manufacturing plant. Of 14 men in whom lung cancer developed, histologic confirmation was obtained in 13, and 12 had oat-cell carcinomas. Three of the 14 men had never smoked. These observations suggest that the agent is an occupational hazard. (N Engl J Med 288:1096–1097, 1973)