title: Lymphatic and hematopoietic tissue cancer in a chemical manufacturing environment.
abstract: Nested case-control studies of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (52 cases), multiple myeloma (20 cases), nonlymphocytic leukemia (39 cases), and lymphocytic leukemia (18 cases) were conducted within a cohort of employed men from two chemical manufacturing facilities and a research and development center. Exposure odds ratios were examined in relation to 111 work areas, 21 specific chemicals, and 52 chemical activity groups. Associations were observed for a maintenance and construction subgroup (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) and a chlorohydrin production unit (nonlymphocytic leukemia). The odds ratio for the association of "foremen and others" with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was 3.2 (CI95 = 1.47-7.2) based on 11 cases. A duration-response trend was observed for the chlorohydrin unit with three of four cases assigned 5+ years to that unit. An association between non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and assignment to strong acid alcohol production units (OR = 8.3; CI95 = 2.3-30.7) was not supported by a duration-response trend. Two highly correlated chemical groups, antioxidants (five cases) and nitriles (four cases), were over-represented among multiple myeloma cases. A duration effect was observed. However, examination of work histories did not reveal common jobs or departments among these cases.
authors.affiliation: Arthur D. Little, Inc., Cambridge, MA.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Ott
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Teta
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Greenberg
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000476:Alkanesulfonates / Q000009:adverse effects; D002617:Chemical Industry; D005023:Ethylene Chlorohydrin / Q000009:adverse effects; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000401:mortality; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000401:mortality; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000401:mortality; D014903:West Virginia / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000476:Alkanesulfonates; D005023:Ethylene Chlorohydrin