Occupational history and exposure and the risk of adult leukemia in Shanghai.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of the association of selected occupational exposures with leukemia risk.


METHODS
Population-based case-control study of 486 leukemia subjects and 502 healthy controls residing in Shanghai from 1987 to 1989. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated for the association between occupational factors and leukemia risk.


RESULTS
Significant increase in leukemia risk was observed in chemical manufacturing industry workers (OR=3.1, 95% CI=1.0-9.8). Increased risks for leukemia were observed from self-reported exposures to benzene (OR=1.7, 95% CI=1.1-2.6), radioactive materials (OR=3.7, 95% CI=1.3-10.2), synthetic fiber dust (OR=2.0, 95% CI=1.2-3.5), and toluene (OR=1.6, 95% CI=1.0-2.5). Dose-response relations of leukemia risk was observed with the duration of exposure to benzene (OR=3.3, 95% CI=1.6-6.9 for >or=15 years exposure; p for trend<0.01), radioactive materials (OR=5.2, 95% CI=1.1-24.7 for >or=15 years exposure; p for trend=0.02), paints (OR=2.3, 95% CI=1.2-4.7 for >or=15 years exposure; p for trend=0.09), and toluene (OR=2.9, 95% CI=1.3-6.7 for >or=15 years exposure; p for trend=0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Adult leukemia risk may be associated with working in the chemical industry, and exposure to benzene, synthetic fiber dust, radioactive materials, and toluene in the study population.
Adegoke
Olufemi J
OJ
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Norman J Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. oadegoke@mmc.edu
Blair
Aaron
A
Shu
Xiao Ou
XO
Sanderson
Maureen
M
Jin
Fan
F
Dosemeci
Mustafa
M
Addy
Cheryl L
CL
Zheng
Wei
W
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002617:Chemical Industry; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000145:classification; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009790:Occupations / Q000145:classification* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012307:Risk Factors; D000078329:Workforce
D015386:Hazardous Substances