PANCREATIC-CANCER AND OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES

We conducted a nationwide case-control study in Finland to identify oc cupational risk factors for pancreatic cancer. We constructed the occu pational exposure histories for 595 incident cases of primary exocrini c cancer of the pancreas and of 1,622 cancer controls, using three dif ferent methods. We found elevated odds ratios (OR) for ionizing radiat ion [OR = 4.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.6-11.4], nonchlorinate d solvents (OR = 1.6-1.8), and pesticides (OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 0.8-3.4) . Asbestos, chromates, cleaning agents, waxes, polishes, and most othe r exposures were not meaningfully associated with pancreatic cancer. I norganic dust containing crystalline silica (OR = 2.0; 95% CI = 1.2-3. 5), heat stress (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 0.8-6.6), and rubber chemicals inc luding acrylonitrile (OR = 2.1; 95% CI = 0.9-4.7) emerged as previousl y unsuspected risk factors. Occupational exposure probably has a small role in the etiology of pancreatic cancer in the present-day industri alized or Postindustrial work environment.