Occupational exposure to solvents and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in Connecticut women

Am J Epidemiol. 2009 Jan 15;169(2):176-85. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwn300. Epub 2008 Dec 4.

Abstract

A population-based case-control study involving 601 incident cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and 717 controls was conducted in 1996-2000 among Connecticut women to examine associations with exposure to organic solvents. A job-exposure matrix was used to assess occupational exposures. Increased risk of NHL was associated with occupational exposure to chlorinated solvents (odds ratio (OR) = 1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1, 1.8) and carbon tetrachloride (OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.3, 4.0). Those ever exposed to any organic solvent in work settings had a borderline increased risk of NHL (OR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.0, 1.6); moreover, a significantly increased risk was observed for those with average probability of exposure to any organic solvent at medium-high level (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1, 1.9). A borderline increased risk was also found for ever exposure to formaldehyde (OR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.0, 1.7) in work settings. Risk of NHL increased with increasing average intensity (P = 0.01), average probability (P < 0.01), cumulative intensity (P = 0.01), and cumulative probability (P < 0.01) level of organic solvent and with average probability level (P = 0.02) and cumulative intensity level of chlorinated solvent (P = 0.02). Analyses by NHL subtype showed a risk pattern for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma similar to that for overall NHL, with stronger evidence of an association with benzene exposure. Results suggest an increased risk of NHL associated with occupational exposure to organic solvents for women.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Benzene / toxicity
  • Carbon Tetrachloride / toxicity
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Connecticut / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Formaldehyde / toxicity
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / chemically induced
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / epidemiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Diseases / chemically induced
  • Occupational Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Odds Ratio
  • Risk Assessment
  • Solvents / toxicity*

Substances

  • Solvents
  • Formaldehyde
  • Carbon Tetrachloride
  • Benzene