title: Lymphoma risk and occupational exposure to pesticides: results of the Epilymph study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the role of occupational exposure to specific groups of agrochemicals in the aetiology of lymphoma overall, B cell lymphoma and its most prevalent subtypes.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 1998-2003, 2348 incident lymphoma cases and 2462 controls were recruited to the EPILYMPH case-control study in six European countries. A detailed occupational history was collected in cases and controls. Job modules were applied for farm work including specific questions on type of crop, farm size, pests being treated, type and schedule of pesticide use. In each study centre, industrial hygienists and occupational experts assessed exposure to specific groups of pesticides and individual compounds with the aid of agronomists. We calculated the OR and its 95% CI associated with lymphoma and the most prevalent lymphoma subtypes with unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for age, gender, education and centre.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Risk of lymphoma overall, and B cell lymphoma was not elevated, and risk of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) was elevated amongst those ever exposed to inorganic (OR=1.6, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.5) and organic pesticides (OR=1.5, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.1). CLL risk was highest amongst those ever exposed to organophosphates (OR=2.7, 95% CI 1.2 to 6.0). Restricting the analysis to subjects most likely exposed, no association was observed between pesticide use and risk of B cell lymphoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results provide limited support to the hypothesis of an increase in risk of specific lymphoma subtypes associated with exposure to pesticides.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Occupational Health Section, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy. coccop@medicina.unica.it
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cocco
authors.forename: Giannina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Satta
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dubois
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pili
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pilleri
authors.forename: Mariagrazia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zucca
authors.forename: Andrea Martine
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: 't Mannetje
authors.forename: Nikolaus
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Yolanda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Benavente
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Sanjosé
authors.forename: Lenka
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Foretova
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Staines
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maynadié
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nieters
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Miligi
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Ennas
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boffetta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D010575:Pesticides