Occupational exposure to solvents and the risk of lymphomas.
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.
Miligi
Lucia
L
Istituto Toscano Tumori, Unit of Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology, Centre for Study and Prevention of Cancer, Via di S. Salvi 12, 50135 Florence, Italy.
Costantini
Adele Seniori
AS
Benvenuti
Alessandra
A
Kriebel
David
D
Bolejack
Vanessa
V
Tumino
Rosario
R
Ramazzotti
Valerio
V
Rodella
Stefania
S
Stagnaro
Emanuele
E
Crosignani
Paolo
P
Amadori
Dino
D
Mirabelli
Dario
D
Sommani
Letizia
L
Belletti
Isabella
I
Troschel
Loredana
L
Romeo
Luciano
L
Miceli
Giuseppe
G
Tozzi
Giulio Andrea
GA
Mendico
Igino
I
Vineis
Paolo
P
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*
D006841:Hydrocarbons, Aromatic; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D012997:Solvents