Wood dust exposure and the association with lung cancer risk.
BACKGROUND
Wood dust was designated as a human carcinogen based on increased sinus and nasal cancer rates among exposed workers. However, data on an association with lung cancer have been inconclusive.


METHODS
Self-reported wood dust exposure was compared between 1,368 lung cancer patients and 1,192 cancer-free adults, in a lung cancer case-control study. Epidemiological information was collected through a detailed personal interview.


RESULTS
Using several definitions of wood dust exposure we consistently observed statistically significant elevated adjusted risk estimates; for example, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for combined wood dust related occupations and industries was 3.15 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.45-6.86) and for an overall summary exposure measure it was 1.60 (95% CI 1.19-2.14). The association was maintained when stratified by histopathological type. Among those exposed to cigarette smoke and wood dust, 21% of the cases were attributable to biologic interaction.


CONCLUSIONS
Wood dust exposure is a potential risk factor for lung cancer.
Barcenas
Carlos H
CH
Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77225-0186, USA.
Delclos
George L
GL
El-Zein
Randa
R
Tortolero-Luna
Guillermo
G
Whitehead
Lawrence W
LW
Spitz
Margaret R
MR
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004391:Dust; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D016015:Logistic Models; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014934:Wood
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004391:Dust