title: Occupational exposure to solvents and the risk of lymphomas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A number of studies have shown possible associations between occupational exposures, particularly solvents, and lymphomas. The present investigation aimed to evaluate the association between exposure to solvents and lymphomas (Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin) in a large population-based, multicenter, case-control study in Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  All newly diagnosed cases of malignant lymphoma in men and women age 20 to 74 years in 1991-1993 were identified in 8 areas in Italy. The control group was formed by a random sample of the general population in the areas under study stratified by sex and 5-year age groups. We interviewed 1428 non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases, 304 Hodgkin disease cases, and 1530 controls. Experts examined the questionnaire data and assessed a level of probability and intensity of exposure to a range of chemicals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Those in the medium/high level of exposure had an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma with exposure to toluene (odds ratio = 1.8; 95% confidence interval = 1.1-2.8), xylene 1.7 (1.0-2.6), and benzene 1.6 (1.0-2.4). Subjects exposed to all 3 aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, and xylene; medium/high intensity compared with none) had an odds ratio of 2.1 (1.1-4.3). We observed an increased risk for Hodgkin disease for those exposed to technical solvents (2.7; 1.2-6.5) and aliphatic solvents (2.7; 1.2-5.7).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons are a risk factor for non-Hodgkin lymphomas, and provides preliminary evidence for an association between solvents and Hodgkin disease.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Toscano Tumori, Unit of Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology, Centre for Study and Prevention of Cancer, Via di S. Salvi 12, 50135 Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Miligi
authors.forename: Adele Seniori
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Costantini
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Benvenuti
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kriebel
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bolejack
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tumino
authors.forename: Valerio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ramazzotti
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rodella
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stagnaro
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Crosignani
authors.forename: Dino
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Amadori
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mirabelli
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sommani
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Belletti
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Troschel
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Romeo
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Miceli
authors.forename: Giulio Andrea
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Tozzi
authors.forename: Igino
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mendico
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vineis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019049:Developed Countries; D005260:Female; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006841:Hydrocarbons, Aromatic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D006841:Hydrocarbons, Aromatic; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D012997:Solvents