Occupational exposures and risk of adenocarcinoma of the lung in Uruguay.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate occupational risks of lung adenocarcinoma in Uruguay and to confirm a previously reported increased risk among butchers.


METHODS
We conducted a case-control study among men in four major hospitals in Montevideo, based on interviews to 338 cases of lung adenocarcinoma and 1014 hospital-based controls. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) of lung adenocarcinoma for employment in 22 jobs, after adjustment for tobacco smoking and other potential confounders.


RESULTS
The OR was increased for employment as farmer, tractor driver, painter and medical worker, but no trend was suggested for duration of employment. Long-term employment as mason, glass worker or textile worker resulted in an increased OR. The OR for employment as butcher was 1.2 (95% confidence interval 0.7-2.1). The OR increased with increasing duration of self-reported exposure to formaldehyde.


CONCLUSIONS
Occupational exposures seem to play a limited role in causing lung adenocarcinoma among men in Uruguay. Employment as butcher was not confirmed as an important risk factor.
De Stefani
Eduardo
E
Departamento de Patología, Instituto Nacional de Oncología, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Boffetta
Paolo
P
Brennan
Paul
P
Deneo-Pellegrini
Hugo
H
Ronco
Alvaro
A
Gutiérrez
Luis Piñeyro
LP
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects; D002273:Carcinogens; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004391:Dust; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000145:classification; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013784:Textiles / Q000009:adverse effects; D014583:Uruguay / Q000453:epidemiology
D002273:Carcinogens; D004391:Dust; D001194:Asbestos; D012822:Silicon Dioxide