NASAL CANCER IN LEATHER WORKERS - AN OCCUPATIONAL-DISEASE

Nasal cancer has a number of causative agents; exposures to most of th e established nasal carcinogens occur in the workplace. An increased r isk of nasal cancer has been ascertained in shoe-making and shoe-repai ring, but the results for leather goods manufacture and leather tannin g don't provide adequate evidence of carcinogenicity. Findings from tw o epidemiological studies carried out in Italy (a case/control study a nd a case/series report) add further information on this issue. The ca se/control study was performed in the provinces of Siena (Tuscany), Ve rona and Vicenza (Venetia) including 96 cases and 378 controls. A sign ificant increased risk (Odds Ratio: 6.8; 90% C.I. 1.9-25) of sinonasal cancer was found for the employ in the whole leather industry; Odds R atio of 8.3 (C.I. = 1.9-36) and 5.0 (C.I. = 0.92-28) were associated w ith shoe-making and leather tanning. The case/series report is based o n 110 patients accepted in some Italian hospitals during last three ye ars (1990-1993): 26 cases had worked in the leather industry; adenocar cinoma is the most frequent type observed. Chromium salts and natural tannins are indicated as possible aetiological agents.