Pesticide use and cutaneous melanoma in pesticide applicators in the agricultural heath study.
BACKGROUND
Melanoma rates continue to increase; however, few risk factors other than sun sensitivity and ultraviolet radiation (including sun exposure) have been identified. Although studies of farmers have shown an excess risk of melanoma and other skin cancers, it is unclear how much of this is related to sun exposure compared with other agricultural exposures.


METHODS
We examined dose-response relationships for 50 agricultural pesticides and cutaneous melanoma incidence in the Agricultural Health Study cohort of licensed pesticide applicators, along with ever use of older pesticides that contain arsenic. Logistic regression was used to examine odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) associated with pesticide exposure adjusted for age, sex, and other potential confounders.


RESULTS
We found significant associations between cutaneous melanoma and maneb/mancozeb (>or= 63 exposure days: OR = 2.4; 95% CI, 1.2-4.9; trend p = 0.006), parathion (>or= 56 exposure days: OR = 2.4; 95% CI, 1.3-4.4; trend p = 0.003), and carbaryl (>or= 56 exposure days: OR = 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1-2.5; trend p = 0.013). Other associations with benomyl and ever use of arsenical pesticides were also suggested.


CONCLUSIONS
Most previous melanoma literature has focused on host factors and sun exposure. Our research shows an association between several pesticides and melanoma, providing support for the hypotheses that agricultural chemicals may be another important source of melanoma risk.
Dennis
Leslie K
LK
Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA.
Lynch
Charles F
CF
Sandler
Dale P
DP
Alavanja
Michael C R
MC
D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007484:Iowa / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008545:Melanoma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D010575:Pesticides