A Case–Control Study of Occupational Exposure to Trichloroethylene and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Year: 2010
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Previous epidemiologic findings suggest an association between exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE), a chlorinated solvent primarily used for vapor degreasing of metal parts, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). OBJECTIVES: We investigated the association between occupational TCE exposure and NHL within a population-based case-control study using detailed exposure assessment methods. METHODS: Cases (n = 1,189; 76% participation rate) and controls (n = 982; 52% participation rate) provided information on their occupational histories and, for selected occupations, on possible workplace exposure to TCE using job-specific interview modules. An industrial hygienist assessed potential TCE exposure based on this information and a review of the TCE industrial hygiene literature. We computed odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) relating NHL and different metrics of estimated TCE exposure, categorized using tertiles among exposed controls, with unexposed subjects as the reference group. RESULTS: We observed associations with NHL for the highest tertiles of estimated average weekly exposure (23 exposed cases; OR = 2.5; 95% CI, 1.1–6.1) and cumulative exposure (24 exposed cases; OR = 2.3; 95% CI, 1.0-5.0) to TCE. Tests for trend with these metrics surpassed or approached statistical significance (p-value for trend = 0.02 and 0.08, respectively); however, we did not observe dose–response relationships across the exposure levels. Overall, neither duration nor intensity of exposure was associated with NHL, although we observed an association with the lowest tertile of exposure duration (OR = 2.1; 95% CI, 1.0-4.7). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings offer additional support for an association between high levels of exposure to TCE and increased risk of NHL. However, we cannot rule out the possibility of confounding from other chlorinated solvents used for vapor degreasing and note that our exposure assessment methods have not been validated.
DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1002106
Institutions: Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Institute of Occupational Health, University of Washington, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Wayne State University, University of Iowa, City Of Hope National Medical Center, City of Hope, Beckman Research Institute, Mayo Clinic, University of Southern California
Language: English
Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
Awards: SURVEILLANCE EPIDEMIOLOGY &END RESULTS PROGRAM, G1041864957, G1220193100, SURVEILLANCE EPIDEMIOLOGY &END RESULTS PROGRAM, G1788914148, SURVEILLANCE, EPIDEMIOLOGY, AND END RESULTS--SEER, SURVEILLANCE EPIDEMIOLOGY &END RESULTS PROGRAM, G420411562, G4836174358, G490749545, G5185757912, G5372537626, G835684289, G9000077506
OpenAlex ID: W2046106286