Well, that data is
1) 25+ years out of date
2) Applies to Boeing aerospace workers, not pilots (note, Boeing workers retiring before 1980 would have been working in WW2 and cold war - before many OHSA regulations. I guess took in lots of nasty fumes, asbestos, etc)
3) SPEEA (Boeing union) have debunked it, and say the 18 month claim is incorrect
http://www.speea.org/general_info/files/life.htm