Insect repellents, phenoxyherbicide exposure, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to test a hypothetical explanation of contradictory results in studies of phenoxyherbicides and NHL, that the exposure of rubber gloves recommended for use by farmers when mixing or applying pesticides simultaneously to 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), and ultraviolet rays increased their permeability to 2,4-D.


METHODS
We conducted a case (NHL n = 513)/control (n = 1506) study among men using age; province of residence; exposure to insect repellents containing DEET, phenoxy-herbicides, or dicamba; and gloves when handling pesticides.


RESULTS
Using conditional logistic regression, the stratum with reported exposure to mecoprop, to DEET and the use of rubber gloves had higher odds ratios (3.86; 95% confidence interval = 1.57-9.49) compared with strata with other combinations.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the etiologic complexity of NHL was demonstrated.
McDuffie
Helen H
HH
Institute of Agricultural Rural and Environmental Health, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W8, Canada. mcduffie@sask.usask.ca
Pahwa
Punam
P
Robson
Diane
D
Dosman
James A
JA
Fincham
Shirley
S
Spinelli
John J
JJ
McLaughlin
John R
JR
D015084:2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid / Q000633:toxicity*; D000328:Adult; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003671:DEET / Q000633:toxicity*; D003996:Dicamba / Q000633:toxicity*; D017575:Gloves, Protective / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006540:Herbicides / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007302:Insect Repellents / Q000633:toxicity*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010539:Permeability / Q000187:drug effects*; D012042:Registries; D012408:Rubber; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D006540:Herbicides; D007302:Insect Repellents; D003671:DEET; D015084:2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid; D012408:Rubber; D003996:Dicamba