title: Intraocular melanoma linked to occupations and chemical exposures.
abstract: We conducted a case-control study in the western United States to determine the relation between occupations or chemical exposures and increased risk of uveal melanoma. Among men (221 patients, 447 controls), we found increased risks for occupational groups who had intense exposure to ultraviolet light [odds ratio (OR) = 3.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.2-7.8], welding exposure (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.3-3.5), and asbestos exposure (OR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.5-3.9 for most likely exposed). The highest odds ratio was for the small number of men (nine cases, three controls) who were chemists, chemical engineers, and chemical technicians (OR = 5.9; 95% CI = 1.6-22.7). Odds ratios also were elevated for exposures to antifreeze, formaldehyde, pesticides, and carbon tetrachloride, but these findings, based on recall of specific chemical exposures, are more subject to recall bias than the findings based on occupational groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatics, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco 94109-5453, USA.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Holly
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Aston
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects; D015982:Bias; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002617:Chemical Industry; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011939:Mental Recall; D015205:Northwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009790:Occupations; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011897:Random Allocation; D015206:Southwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D001194:Asbestos