OCCUPATION AND THE RISK OF LUNG-CANCER IN URUGUAY

Objectives The purpose of this study was to provide more information r egarding the risk of lung cancer associated with asbestos. pesticides, and other exposures in the Uruguayan work force. Methods This multisi te case-referent study was part of a large project designed for evalua ting the role of occupational exposures in cancer risk in Uruguay. Acc ording to the design employed, cases were a subset of the data base co rresponding to a particular site (in this instance lung cancer), and t hey were compared with all other sites combined (referents). Results s ignificant increases in risk associated with workers in the constructi on industry were mainly observed for squamous-cell carcinoma. Asbestos , silica dust, and DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) exposure were also associated with increases in the risk of lung cancer. Pipefitter s, bakers, acid textile workers were also at increased risk of develop ing lung cancer. Conclusions Workers employed in the construction indu stry, as well as those exposed to DDT may have an excess risk of lung cancer. These findings are particularly important in showing that deve loping countries like Uruguay display risk patterns of similar magnitu de as those observed in developed communities.