Thomas Mancuso

Thomas F. Mancuso (February 19, 1912 – July 4, 2004) was an American epidemiologist and professor of occupational health at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Public Health between 1962 and 1982, known for conducting long-term studies of the cancer-causing effects of low-level radiation and several chemicals used in industry, including asbestos. He is credited for being the first to understand that beryllium and chromium could cause cancer.

During World War II, Mancuso co-founded organizations in public health, at health departments of Michigan and Oregon. After the war he headed the Department of Industrial Hygiene at the Ohio Department of Health. There, he produced the first American long-term mortality studies and showed how social security data could be used to understand deaths among factory workers.

Early life and education Thomas Francis Mancuso was born in Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn, New York, on February 19, 1912. He attended Creighton University in Omaha, from where he received his bachelor's degree followed by his medical degree from its medical school in 1937.

Early career World War II During World War II, Mancuso co-founded organizations in public health. He subsequently directed the Division of Industrial Medicine at the Oregon State Board of Health, and served it until 1945. During his time at Ohio, he showed cancer-causing effects of several chemicals including aromatic amines, cadmium, hydrogen sulphide, manganese, and mercury. After reporting that asbestos was harmful to both employees and customers, his contract was terminated.

Career at the University of Pittsburgh In 1962 Mancuso joined the University of Pittsburgh's School of Public Health as research professor of occupational health, and remained there until his retirement in 1982. He took to independent research with epidemiologist Alice Stewart and mathematician George Kneale. In 1977 they revealed that Hanford Nuclear Weapons Plant employees were "dying of cancer from cumulative radiation exposures far below the standards established as safe". In response, in 2000 the US Government agreed to offer compensation to those affected. This is generally considered the first recognition of a link between beryllium and cancer. He found a likely under-reporting of deaths by suicide, including one where the wife was murdered prior to suicide.

Later life Mancuso continued to investigate occupational hazards after his retirement.

Honors and awards In 1961 the National Cancer Institute awarded Mancuso a career award.

Death Mancuso died from oesophageal cancer on July 4, 2004, in Oakland, California. He was survived by his wife Rafaella, two daughters and one son.

Selected publications Books

Articles