Occupation, Pesticide Exposure and Risk of Multiple Myeloma

• Published in: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment ＆ Health Vol. 30; no. 3; pp. 215 - 222
• Main Authors: Baris, Dalsu, Silverman, Debra T, Brown, Linda Morris, Swanson, G Marie, Hayes, Richard B, Schwartz, Ann G, Liff, Jonathan M, Schoenberg, Janet B, Pottern, Linda M, Greenberg, Raymond S, Stewart, Patricia A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Helsinki Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment ＆ Health 01.06.2004; National Institute for Working Life; Finnish Institute of Occupational Health; National Institute of Occupational Health (Denmark); National Institute of Occupational Health (Norway); Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health
• Subjects: Adult; African Continental Ancestry Group - statistics & numerical data; Aged; Agricultural Workers' Diseases - chemically induced; Agricultural Workers' Diseases - epidemiology; Agricultural Workers' Diseases - ethnology; Biological and medical sciences; Case control studies; Chemical hazards; Crop science; Crops; European Continental Ancestry Group - statistics & numerical data; Female; Georgia - epidemiology; Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases; Herbicides; Humans; Leukemias. Malignant lymphomas. Malignant reticulosis. Myelofibrosis; Male; Medical sciences; Michigan - epidemiology; Middle Aged; Multiple myeloma; Multiple Myeloma - chemically induced; Multiple Myeloma - epidemiology; Multiple Myeloma - ethnology; New Jersey - epidemiology; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; Occupations; Occupations - classification; Odds Ratio; Operating rooms; Pesticides; Pesticides - toxicity; Pesticides, fertilizers and other agrochemicals toxicology; Risk Assessment - methods; Risk Factors; Toxicology; Vegetable farms; United States; North America; America; New Jersey; Georgia; Michigan; job-exposure matrix; multiple myeloma; occupation; case-control study; pesticides; Human; Job exposure matrix; Farming animal; Pesticides; Case control study; Occupational exposure; Myeloma; Epidemiology; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Sociodemographic factor; Risk factor; Sheep; Artiodactyla; Professional activity; Farmer; Occupational history; Occupational medicine; Ungulata
• ISSN: 0355-3140; 1795-990X
• DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.782

Objectives This population-based case-control study examined the relationship between occupation, living or working on a farm, pesticide exposure, and the risk of multiple myeloma. Methods The study included 573 persons newly diagnosed with myeloma and 2131 controls. Information was obtained on sociodemographic factors, occupational history, and history of living and working on a farm. Occupational and industrial titles were coded by standardized classification systems. A job-exposure matrix was developed for occupational pesticide exposure. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated by unconditional logistic regression. Results Farmers and farm workers had odds ratios of 1.9 (95% CI 0.8-4.6) and 1.4 (95% CI 0.8-2.3), respectively. An odds ratio of 1.7 (95% CI 1.0-2.7) was observed for sheep farm residents or workers, whereas no increased risks were found for cattle, beef, pig, or chicken farm residents or workers. A modestly increased risk was observed for pesticides (OR 1.3, 95% CI 0.9-1.8). Significantly increased risks were found for pharmacists, dieticians and therapists (OR 6.1, 95% CI 1.7-22.5), service occupations (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.02-1.7), roofers (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.1-9.8), precision printing occupations (OR 10.1, 95% CI 1.03-99.8), heating equipment operators (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.4-15.8), and hand molders and casters (OR 3.0,95% CI 1.0-8.4). Conclusions A modest increased risk of multiple myeloma is suggested for occupational pesticide exposure. The increased risk for sheep farm residents or workers indicates that certain animal viruses may be involved in myeloma risk.