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KABIR A, ZENDEHDEL R, TAYEFEH-RAHIMIAN R. Dioxin Exposure in the Manufacture of Pesticide Production as a Risk Factor for Death from Prostate Cancer: A Meta-analysis. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 47:148-155. [PMID: 29445624 PMCID: PMC5810377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In pesticide exposure groups such as farmers, the risk of prostate cancer was increased, although the report of the cause of evidence is limited. We selected chlorophenol compounds as an important group of the contaminated pesticide with highly toxic 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). This meta-analysis, the risk of death from prostate cancer was analyzed. METHODS PubMed, Scopus, Scholar Google and web of Sciences until 2016 were searched. The standardized mortality rate (SMR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained from the studies. We tested statistical heterogeneity with Cochrane Q test and I2 index. Egger test was used for evaluating publication bias. Random or fixed-effects models and meta-regression were also used in our analysis. Moreover, Cochrane tool was used to assess the risk of bias. RESULTS Five available papers consist of 28706 exposed populations were assessed. Overall standardized mortality rate as combined result of prostate cancer risk from the fixed model was 1.2 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02 to 1.42, P=0.027). Some biases are more probable in these studies such as confounding by indication, loss to follow up and misclassification. CONCLUSION A contaminated pesticide with dioxins between other pesticides is an important risk factor for prostate cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali KABIR
- Minimally Invasive Surgery Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Dept. of Epidemiology, School of Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rezvan ZENDEHDEL
- Dept. of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Corresponding Author:
| | - Raana TAYEFEH-RAHIMIAN
- Dept. of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Jayakody N, Harris EC, Coggon D. Phenoxy herbicides, soft-tissue sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a systematic review of evidence from cohort and case-control studies. Br Med Bull 2015; 114:75-94. [PMID: 25790819 PMCID: PMC4548713 DOI: 10.1093/bmb/ldv008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phenoxy herbicides have been used widely in agriculture, forestry, parks and domestic gardens. Early studies linked them with soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), but when last reviewed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 1986, the evidence for human carcinogenicity was limited. SOURCES OF DATA We searched Medline and Embase, looking for cohort or case-control studies that provided data on risk of STS and/or NHL in relation to phenoxy herbicides, and checked the reference lists of relevant publications for papers that had been missed. AREAS OF AGREEMENT, AREAS OF CONTROVERSY The extensive evidence is not entirely consistent, and a hazard of STS or NHL cannot firmly be ruled out. However, if there is a hazard, then absolute risks must be small. GROWING POINTS, AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH Extended follow-up of previously assembled cohorts may be the most efficient way of further reducing uncertainties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nimeshi Jayakody
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - E Clare Harris
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - David Coggon
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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von Stackelberg K. A Systematic Review of Carcinogenic Outcomes and Potential Mechanisms from Exposure to 2,4-D and MCPA in the Environment. J Toxicol 2013; 2013:371610. [PMID: 23533401 PMCID: PMC3600329 DOI: 10.1155/2013/371610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2012] [Revised: 05/18/2012] [Accepted: 07/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlorophenoxy compounds, particularly 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)acetic acid (MCPA), are amongst the most widely used herbicides in the United States for both agricultural and residential applications. Epidemiologic studies suggest that exposure to 2,4-D and MCPA may be associated with increased risk non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkin's disease (HD), leukemia, and soft-tissue sarcoma (STS). Toxicological studies in rodents show no evidence of carcinogenicity, and regulatory agencies worldwide consider chlorophenoxies as not likely to be carcinogenic or unclassifiable as to carcinogenicity. This systematic review assembles the available data to evaluate epidemiologic, toxicological, pharmacokinetic, exposure, and biomonitoring studies with respect to key cellular events noted in disease etiology and how those relate to hypothesized modes of action for these constituents to determine the plausibility of an association between exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of 2,4-D and MCPA and lymphohematopoietic cancers. The combined evidence does not support a genotoxic mode of action. Although plausible hypotheses for other carcinogenic modes of action exist, a comparison of biomonitoring data to oral equivalent doses calculated from bioassay data shows that environmental exposures are not sufficient to support a causal relationship. Genetic polymorphisms exist that are known to increase the risk of developing NHL. The potential interaction between these polymorphisms and exposures to chlorophenoxy compounds, particularly in occupational settings, is largely unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine von Stackelberg
- E Risk Sciences, LLP, 12 Holton Street, Allston, MA 02134, USA
- Harvard Center for Risk Analysis, 401 Park Drive, Landmark 404J, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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Cancer incidence of 2,4-D production workers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2011; 8:3579-90. [PMID: 22016704 PMCID: PMC3194105 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph8093579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2011] [Revised: 08/27/2011] [Accepted: 08/30/2011] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Despite showing no evidence of carcinogenicity in laboratory animals, the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) has been associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in some human epidemiology studies, albeit inconsistently. We matched an existing cohort of 2,4-D manufacturing employees with cancer registries in three US states resulting in 244 cancers compared to 276 expected cases. The Standardized Incidence Ratio (SIR) for the 14 NHL cases was 1.36 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.74-2.29). Risk estimates were higher in the upper cumulative exposure and duration subgroups, yet not statistically significant. There were no clear patterns of NHL risk with period of hire and histology subtypes. Statistically significant results were observed for prostate cancer (SIR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.57-0.94), and "other respiratory" cancers (SIR = 3.79, 95% CI 1.22-8.84; 4 of 5 cases were mesotheliomas). Overall, we observed fewer cancer cases than expected, and a non statistically significant increase in the number of NHL cases.
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Samanic CM, De Roos AJ, Stewart PA, Rajaraman P, Waters MA, Inskip PD. Occupational exposure to pesticides and risk of adult brain tumors. Am J Epidemiol 2008; 167:976-85. [PMID: 18299277 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwm401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The authors examined incident glioma and meningioma risk associated with occupational exposure to insecticides and herbicides in a hospital-based, case-control study of brain cancer. Cases were 462 glioma and 195 meningioma patients diagnosed between 1994 and 1998 in three US hospitals. Controls were 765 patients admitted to the same hospitals for nonmalignant conditions. Occupational histories were collected during personal interviews. Exposure to pesticides was estimated by use of a questionnaire, combined with pesticide measurement data abstracted from published sources. Using logistic regression models, the authors found no association between insecticide and herbicide exposures and risk for glioma and meningioma. There was no association between glioma and exposure to insecticides or herbicides, in men or women. Women who reported ever using herbicides had a significantly increased risk for meningioma compared with women who never used herbicides (odds ratio = 2.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.4, 4.3), and there were significant trends of increasing risk with increasing years of herbicide exposure (p = 0.01) and increasing cumulative exposure (p = 0.01). There was no association between meningioma and herbicide or insecticide exposure among men. These findings highlight the need to go beyond job title to elucidate potential carcinogenic exposures within different occupations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudine M Samanic
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD 20852, USA.
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Hou L, Lee WJ, Rusiecki J, Hoppin JA, Blair A, Bonner MR, Lubin JH, Samanic C, Sandler DP, Dosemeci M, Alavanja MCR. Pendimethalin exposure and cancer incidence among pesticide applicators. Epidemiology 2006; 17:302-7. [PMID: 16452832 PMCID: PMC1513643 DOI: 10.1097/01.ede.0000201398.82658.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pendimethalin, a widely used herbicide, has been classified as a group C possible human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. We evaluated the incidence of cancer in relation to reported pendimethelin use among pesticide applicators in the Agricultural Health Study, a prospective cohort of licensed pesticide applicators in Iowa and North Carolina. METHODS Information on pesticide use came from two questionnaires (enrollment and take-home). The present analysis includes 9089 pendimethalin-exposed and 15,285 nonpendimethalin-exposed pesticide applicators with complete information on pendimethalin use and covariates from a take-home questionnaire. We conducted Poisson regression analyses to evaluate the association of pendimethalin exposure with cancer incidence (mean follow-up = 7.5 years) using two exposure metrics: tertiles of lifetime days of exposure and tertiles of intensity-weighted lifetime days of exposure. RESULTS Overall cancer incidence did not increase with increasing lifetime pendimethalin use, and there was no clear evidence of an association between pendimethalin use and risks for specific cancers. The risk for rectal cancer rose with increasing lifetime pendimethalin exposure when using nonexposed as the reference (rate ratio = 4.3; 95% confidence interval = 1.5-12.7 for the highest exposed subjects; P for trend = 0.007), but the association was attenuated when using the low exposed as the referent group (P for trend = 0.08). Similar patterns for rectal cancer were observed when using intensity-weighted exposure-days. The number of rectal cancer cases among the pendimethalin-exposed was small (n = 19). There was some evidence for an elevated risk for lung cancer, but the excess occurred only in the highest exposure category for lifetime pendimethalin exposure. The trends for lung cancer risk were inconsistent for different exposure metrics. CONCLUSIONS We did not find a clear association of lifetime pendimethalin exposure either with overall cancer incidence or with specific cancer sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifang Hou
- From the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD; the
| | - Won Jin Lee
- From the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD; the
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jennifer Rusiecki
- From the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD; the
| | - Jane A. Hoppin
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC; the
| | - Aaron Blair
- From the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD; the
| | - Matthew R. Bonner
- From the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD; the
| | - Jay H. Lubin
- Biostatistics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD; and the
| | - Claudine Samanic
- From the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD; the
| | - Dale P. Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC; the
| | - Mustafa Dosemeci
- From the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD; the
| | - Michael C. R. Alavanja
- From the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD; the
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Lynge E. Cancer incidence in Danish phenoxy herbicide workers, 1947-1993. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 1998; 106 Suppl 2:683-688. [PMID: 9599717 PMCID: PMC1533406 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.98106683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
A cohort study was undertaken of 2119 workers from Denmark who were potentially exposed to phenoxy herbicides. The workers were from two factories that produced phenoxy herbicides since 1947 and 1951, respectively. They had been employed either in the manufacture of phenoxy herbicide or in the manual service functions. The main product was 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA). From 1947 to 1993 the 2119 workers had a slightly lower overall cancer incidence than the Danish population (observed = 204; expected [Exp] = 234.23; standardized incidence ratio [SIR] = 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.8-1.0). Four soft-tissue sarcoma cases were observed (Exp = 2.47; SIR = 1.62; 95% CI = 0.4-4.1). All four cases occurred among men from Kemisk Vaerk Køge (Exp = 1.68; SIR = 2.38; 95% CI = 0.7-6.1). There were six cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (Exp = 5.07; SIR = 1.10; 95% CI = 0.4-2.6) and no significantly elevated risk of other cancers. Based on small numbers, the study suggests an association between the exposure to MCPA and related phenoxy herbicides and the risk of soft-tissue sarcoma. The study does not indicate a risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after exposure to these phenoxy herbicides or a risk of other cancer diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Lynge
- Danish Cancer Society, København O, Denmark.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Studies in traditional paper mills have indicated an excess cancer risk, and mutagenic compounds have been identified in the industry. No studies have reported on risk of cancer in paper recycling. Therefore the cancer incidence in Danish paper recycling mills was investigated. METHODS 5377 employees in five paper recycling plants were included in a historical cohort study. The workers had been employed in paper recycling in 1965-90, and the cohort was followed up until 31 December 1993. The expected number of cancer cases was calculated from national rates. RESULTS There was significantly more pharyngeal cancer among male workers (seven observed (standardised incidence ratio (SIR) 3.33, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.34 to 6.87)). There was slightly more lung cancer among male workers in production (39 observed, SIR 1.21, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.65). Risk of Hodgkin's disease was doubled in male production worker (four observed, SIR 1.90, 95% CI 0.51 to 4.85). CONCLUSIONS The increased risk of pharyngeal cancer found in this study is interesting but may be influenced by confounders such as smoking and alcohol intake. This study also indicates an excess risk of Hodgkin's disease, which is in accordance with some studies in the traditional paper mills. As this is the first report on risk of cancer in paper recycling, further studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- B A Rix
- Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Knopp D. Assessment of exposure to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in the chemical industry: results of a five year biological monitoring study. Occup Environ Med 1994; 51:152-9. [PMID: 8130842 PMCID: PMC1127932 DOI: 10.1136/oem.51.3.152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Data on individual exposure to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in herbicide production plants are limited. Hence, the urinary excretion of this herbicide was measured during a five year (1985-1989) biological monitoring study of 27 men and 18 women employees exposed during the production and formulation of 2,4-D and related sodium and dimethylamine salts. In separate studies, specimens of urine were collected in the morning, or during the last three hours of a working shift, or over a 24 hour period (1200 to 1200 or 0800 to 0800) and were analysed by an immunochemical method (2,4-D radioimmunoassay (RIA)). Urinary 2,4-D concentrations varied within a large scale from only a few micrograms/l to several 10s of mg/l. During a week, herbicide excretion increased, culminating on Friday. At the weekend, when no work was done, 2,4-D elimination decreased but did not return to zero in any case. After an interruption of exposure for about three weeks, urinary 2,4-D was no longer detectable. About five days after restarting work, body concentrations had built up again. Measurements of 2,4-D concentrations in air at different work-places showed that herbicide concentrations did not exceed 0.5 mg/m3. As well as inhalation, dermal 2,4-D absorption seemed to play an important part in total uptake of herbicide. Furthermore, a strong correlation was found (r = 0.9628) between 2,4-D urinary concentration, adjusted for endogenous creatinine, and the estimated amount of absorbed herbicide. Estimated absorbed doses were, in most cases, well below 0.1 mg 2,4-D/kg body wt/day. Sometimes this concentration was greatly exceeded. Thyroid hormone concentrations in blood were measured as well. No notable abnormalities were found. Exposed subjects were also typed for histocompatibility locus antigens (ABC antigens). The immunochemical determination of 2,4-D in specimens of urine proved to be a simple, cost effective, and non-invasive method to measure human exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Knopp
- Institute of Hydrochemistry and Chemical Balneology, Technical University Munich, Germany
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Lynge E. Cancer in phenoxy herbicide manufacturing workers in Denmark, 1947-87--an update. Cancer Causes Control 1993; 4:261-72. [PMID: 8318642 DOI: 10.1007/bf00051321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
This report is an update of a cohort study from the two Danish phenoxy herbicide manufacturing plants. The study originally covered the period 1947-82. Data now have been added for the period 1983-87. In 1943-87, the 940 phenoxy herbicide manufacturing and packaging workers experienced the same overall cancer incidence as the Danish population (observed [Obs] = 66; expected [Exp] = 64.27; standardized incidence ratio [SIR] = 1.0; 95 percent confidence interval [CI] = 0.8-1.3). The same was true for the 1,179 workers employed in manual service functions. The data for 1947-82 included five cases of soft tissue sarcoma (STS). One of these patients had his diagnosis changed when he died in 1985. One new STS case was diagnosed during the period 1983-87. This updated study thus includes a total of five STS cases. Four of the STS cases were observed among persons potentially exposed to phenoxy herbicide (Exp = 1.76; SIR = 2.3; CI = 0.6-5.8). Three of the cases occurred among men employed for at least one year in one factory. In this subgroup, an SIR of 6.4 (CI = 1.3-18.7) was observed when a 10-year latency period was taken into account. Based on small numbers, this Danish study thus continues to add to the evidence for a possible association between phenoxy herbicide exposure and risk of STS. Persons potentially exposed to phenoxy herbicide had an incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma close to that of the Danish population (Obs = 4; Exp = 3.08; SIR = 1.3; CI = 0.4-3.3).
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Ibrahim MA, Bond GG, Burke TA, Cole P, Dost FN, Enterline PE, Gough M, Greenberg RS, Halperin WE, McConnell E. Weight of the evidence on the human carcinogenicity of 2,4-D. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 1991; 96:213-22. [PMID: 1820267 PMCID: PMC1568222 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.9196213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The phenoxy herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is widely used to control the growth of weeds and broadleaf plants. We convened a panel of 13 scientists to weigh the evidence on the human carcinogenicity of 2,4-D. The panel based its findings on a review of the toxicological and epidemiological literature on 2,4-D and related phenoxy herbicides. The toxicological data do not provide a strong basis for predicting that 2,4-D is a human carcinogen. Although a cause-effect relationship is far from being established, the epidemiological evidence for an association between exposure to 2,4-D and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is suggestive and requires further investigation. There is little evidence of an association between use of 2,4-D and soft-tissue sarcoma or Hodgkin's disease, and no evidence of an association between 2,4-D use and any other form of cancer. Scientists on the panel were asked to categorize 2,4-D as a "known," "probable," "possible," or "unlikely" carcinogen or as a noncarcinogen in humans. The predominant opinion among the panel members was that the weight of the evidence indicates that it is possible that exposure to 2,4-D can cause cancer in humans, although not all of the panelists believed the possibility was equally likely: one thought the possibility was strong, leaning toward probable, and five thought the possibility was remote, leaning toward unlikely. Two panelists believed it unlikely that 2,4-D can cause cancer in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Ibrahim
- Center for Risk Analysis, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115
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Coggon D, Pannett B, Winter P. Mortality and incidence of cancer at four factories making phenoxy herbicides. BRITISH JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE 1991; 48:173-178. [PMID: 2015208 PMCID: PMC1035345 DOI: 10.1136/oem.48.3.173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
To assess the possible carcinogenicity of phenoxy herbicides and related chlorophenols and dioxins, the International Agency for Research on Cancer is coordinating an international collaborative study of workers exposed to these compounds in their production or use. Four British cohorts of chemical manufacturers which have been recruited to the survey are described. They comprise a total of 2239 men employed during 1963-85. These subjects were traced to 31 December 1987 through the National Health Service Central Register and the National Insurance Index, and their mortality compared with that in the national population. Two deaths were from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with 0.87 expected. Both deaths occurred more than 10 years after first exposure to phenoxy compounds. One further non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was registered in a living subject with probable exposure to phenoxy compounds. No cases of soft tissue sarcoma or Hodgkin's disease were recorded. A nonsignificant excess of lung cancer (19 deaths observed, 14.2 expected) is probably attributable to chance or a confounding effect of smoking. In one cohort only there was increased mortality from circulatory disease (34 deaths observed, 20.4 expected). A nested case-control study did not point to any occupational cause for this excess, but further evaluation will be needed during continued follow up.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Coggon
- MRC Environmental Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital
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