CANCER INCIDENCE IN DANISH PHENOXY HERBICIDE WORKERS, 1947-1993

A cohort study was undertaken of 2119 workers from Denmark who were po tentially exposed to phenoxy herbicides. The workers were from two fac tories that produced phenoxy herbicides since 1947 and 1951, respectiv ely. They had been employed either in the manufacture of phenoxy herbi cide or in the manual service functions. The main product: was 4-chlor o-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA). From 1947 to 1993 the 2119 worker s had a slightly lower overall cancer incidence than the Danish popula tion (observed = 204; expected [Exp] = 234.23; standardized incidence ratio [SIR]=0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.8-1.0). Four soft-tis sue sarcoma cases were observed (Exp = 2.47; SIR = 1.62; 95% CI=0.4-4. 1). All four cases occurred among men from Kemisk Vaerk Koge (Exp=1.68 ; SIR=2.38; 95% CI = 0.7-6.1). There were six cases of non-Hodgkin's l ymphoma (Exp=5.07; SIR=1.10; 95% CI=0.4-2.6) and no significantly elev ated risk of other cancers. Based on small numbers, the study suggests an association between the exposure to MCPA and related phenoxy herbi cides and the risk of soft-tissue sarcoma. The study does not indicate a risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after exposure to these phenoxy herb icides or a risk of other cancer diseases.