Some occupational exposures as risk factors for malignant lymphomas.
BACKGROUND
Malignant lymphomas (Hodgkin disease [HD] and non-Hodgkin lymphoma [NHL]) have been subject to several epidemiologic studies and found to be associated with various environmental exposures, especially solvents, wood, and phenoxy herbicides.


METHODS
Various determinants for HD and NHL were evaluated in a case-referent study encompassing 31 cases of HD, 93 cases of NHL, and 204 referents, all alive. Information on these determinants, mainly occupational exposures, was obtained by mailed questionnaires.


RESULTS
Crude odds ratios were increased for various occupational exposures, i.e., exposures to solvents, pesticides, metal fumes, welding, and fresh wood, and nursing. Further analyses based on logistic regression indicated exposure to phenoxy herbicides and fresh wood among sawmill workers, lumberjacks, and paper pulp workers to be significant risk factors for HD. Welding, working as a lumberjack, nursing, and ex-smoking were associated with a significantly increased risk for NHL. Radiographic examinations were negatively associated with HD, as was office work for NHL.


CONCLUSIONS
The results were mainly in agreement with the findings of earlier studies, but diverging associations also appeared.
Persson
B
B
Department of Occupational Medicine, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.
Fredriksson
M
M
Olsen
K
K
Boeryd
B
B
Axelson
O
O
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003634:DDT / Q000009:adverse effects; D006540:Herbicides / Q000009:adverse effects; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000209:etiology*; D008670:Metals / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects; D013548:Sweden; D013997:Time Factors
D006540:Herbicides; D008670:Metals; D012997:Solvents; D003634:DDT