Occupational exposure to chlorinated solvents and kidney cancer: a case-control study.
Trichloroethylene, a chlorinated solvent widely used for metal degreasing, is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a kidney carcinogen. Other chlorinated solvents are suspected carcinogens, most notably the cleaning solvent perchloroethylene, although it is unclear whether they are associated with kidney cancer. We investigated kidney cancer associations with occupational exposure to 6 chlorinated solvents (trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and methylene chloride) within a case-control study using detailed exposure assessment methods.



Cases (n=1217) and controls (n=1235) provided information on their occupational histories and, for selected occupations, on tasks involving potential exposure to chlorinated solvents through job-specific interview modules. Using this information, an industrial hygienist assessed potential exposure to each solvent. We computed ORs and 95% CIs for different exposure metrics, with unexposed participants as the referent group.



1,1,1-trichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and methylene chloride were not associated with kidney cancer. Among jobs with high exposure intensity, high cumulative hours exposed to perchloroethylene was associated with increased risk, both overall (third tertile vs unexposed: OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.3 to 7.4) and after excluding participants with ≥50% exposure probability for trichloroethylene (OR 3.0, 95% CI 0.99 to 9.0). A non-significant association with high cumulative hours exposed to trichloroethylene was observed (OR 1.7, 95% CI 0.8 to 3.8).



In this study, high exposure to perchloroethylene was associated with kidney cancer, independent of trichloroethylene. Additional studies are needed to further investigate this finding.
Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Mark P
MP
Purdue
Stewart Exposure Assessments, LLC, Arlington, USA.
Patricia A
PA
Stewart
Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Melissa C
MC
Friesen
Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Joanne S
JS
Colt
Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Sarah J
0000-0002-4827-222X
SJ
Locke
CACI, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Misty J
MJ
Hein
Division of Applied Research and Technology, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Martha A
MA
Waters
Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Barry I
BI
Graubard
University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Faith
F
Davis
Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Julie
J
Ruterbusch
Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Kendra
K
Schwartz
Department of Epidemiology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
Wong-Ho
WH
Chow
Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Nathaniel
N
Rothman
Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Jonathan N
JN
Hofmann
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012997:Solvents; D013750:Tetrachloroethylene / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D014241:Trichloroethylene / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D055815:Young Adult
D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D012997:Solvents; D014241:Trichloroethylene; D013750:Tetrachloroethylene
case-control studies; chlorinated solvents