Lymphohematopoietic cancers in the United Farm Workers of America (UFW), 1988-2001.
OBJECTIVE
Agricultural risk factors for lymphohematopoietic cancers (LHC) in Hispanic farm workers in California were examined in a nested case-control study embedded in a cohort of 139,000 ever members of a farm worker labor union in California.


METHODS
Crop and pesticide exposures were estimated by linking county/month and crop specific job history information from union records with California Department of Pesticide Regulation pesticide use reports during the 20-year period prior to cancer diagnosis.


RESULTS
A total of 131 LHC diagnosed in California between 1988 and 2001 were included in the analysis. Analyses were conducted by gender and subtype of non-Hodgkins lymphoma (nodal, extra nodal) and by leukemia histology (lymphocytic, granulocytic). Odds ratios were calculated by stratification and by unconditional logistic regression. Risk for all LHC was elevated in workers cultivating vegetables (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.12-2.48). Risk of leukemia was associated with exposure to the pesticides mancozeb (OR = 2.35, 95% CI = 1.12-4.95) and toxaphene (OR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.04-4.65) while NHL risk was increased in association with 2,4-D (OR = 3.80, 95% CI=1.85-7.81). Risk of leukemia was particularly elevated among female workers and for granulocytic versus lymphocytic leukemia for several chemicals. No associations were noted for multiple myeloma.


CONCLUSIONS
California farm workers employed where mancozeb and toxaphene were used had an increased risk of leukemia compared to farm workers employed elsewhere. Employment in farms using 2,4-D was associated with an increased risk of NHL.
Mills
Paul K
PK
Cancer Registry of Central California/Public Health Institute, 1320 E. Shaw Avenue, Suite 160, Fresno, CA 93710, USA. mills@ucsfresno.edu
Yang
Richard
R
Riordan
Deborah
D
D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial / Q000009:adverse effects; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000009:adverse effects; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008344:Maneb / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014112:Toxaphene / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015038:Zineb / Q000009:adverse effects*
D005659:Fungicides, Industrial; D007306:Insecticides; D010575:Pesticides; D008344:Maneb; D014112:Toxaphene; C013099:mancozeb; D015038:Zineb