Occupational exposure to gasoline and the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a review and meta-analysis of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
Gasoline comprises over 500 chemicals, including the known or suspected carcinogens benzene, 1,3-butadiene, ethylbenzene and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). To assess whether work in the production, distribution and use of gasoline is associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), we reviewed the published literature on this topic.


METHODS
English-language peer-reviewed articles were identified by keyword searches of bibliographic databases. Twenty-two cohorts and thirteen case-control studies examined the risk of NHL among persons employed in the downstream petroleum industry.


RESULTS
No positive associations were found with the exception of one study. The pooled risk estimate from a random-effects meta-analysis was 1.02 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.94-1.12). Although there were no estimates available, exposure is likely to have varied by occupation, location and time period; there was no evidence however that risk estimates varied by any of these factors. NHL is a heterogeneous disease, yet no data were reported for NHL subtypes.


CONCLUSIONS
In summary, there is no suggestion across an extensive literature that exposure to gasoline at the levels workers' experience in an occupational setting increases the risk of NHL.
Kane
Eleanor V
EV
Epidemiology and Genetics Unit, Department of Health Sciences, Seebohm Rowntree Building, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK. eleanor.kane@egu.york.ac.uk
Newton
Rob
R
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019652:Extraction and Processing Industry; D005742:Gasoline / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D005742:Gasoline