Exposure to engine exhaust and risk of subsequent cancer.
We evaluated the relation between occupational exposure to engine exhaust fumes and cancer risk among members of a large prepaid health plan who reported on exposure during a routine health examination (n = 160,230). Exposure in the past year was associated with an elevated risk of cancer of the thyroid (relative risk (RR) = 1.99; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-3.92), female breast (RR = 1.53; CI, 1.00-2.33), nonbrain nervous system (RR = 2.26; CI, 1.09-4.67), and lip/tongue (RR = 1.82; CI, 1.09-3.04), and a decreased risk of melanoma (RR = 0.50; CI, 0.27-0.90). However, another measure of exposure that included both exposure prior to 1 year and exposure in the past year was associated only with cancer of the lip/tongue (RR = 1.82; CI, 1.02-3.32). No association was observed for lung, bladder, or larynx cancer or multiple myeloma. Analyses limited to men, or stratified by time since health examination, did not distinguish other effects. Self-reported occupational exposure to engine exhaust fumes was not convincingly associated with most cancers in this cohort.
Van Den Eeden
S K
SK
Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, Oakland, CA 94611-5463.
Friedman
G D
GD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009098:Multiphasic Screening; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D001335:Vehicle Emissions