ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL ASPECTS ON THE ETIOLOGY OF NON-HODGKINS-LYMPHOMA

Immunosuppression, possibly in combination with viruses, could be a ma in etiologic mechanism for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Chemicals suc h as phenoxyacetic acids, chlorophenols, dioxins, organic solvents, po lychlorinated biphenyls, chlordane, and immunosuppressive drugs have b een associated with this disease. Also UV light and blood transfusion have been postulated to be risk factors. Conclusive evidence of a caus al association with NHL is not established for all of these exposures, bur experimental evidence and clinical observations indicate that all these exposures have in common that they may impair the immune system . Furthermore, acquired and congenital immune deficiency as well as au toimmune disorders increase the risk for NHL. In view of currently ava ilable evidence, the first priority for reducing morbidity due to NHL might be to take action against adverse chemical exposures as a measur e that is more easily achievable than any other kind of prevention.