Occupational risk factors for renal cell carcinoma in Montreal

Background Little is known about the role of workplace exposures on the ris k of renal cell cancer: Methods A population-based case-control study was undertaken in Montreal to Assess the association between hundreds of occupational circumstances and several cancer sites, including the kidney. A total of 142 male patients wi th pathologically confirmed venal cell carcinoma, 1900 controls with cancer at other sites and 533 population-based controls were interviewed. Detaile d job histories and relevant data on potential confounders were obtained. A group of chemists-hygienists evaluated each job reported and translated th em into a history of occupational exposures using a checklist of 294 substa nces. Multivariate logistic regression models using either population, canc er controls, or a pool of both groups were used to estimate odds ratios. Results There were some indications of excess risks among printers,nursery workers (gardening), aircraft mechanics, farmers, and horticulturists, as w ell as in the following industries: printing-related services, defense serv ices, wholesale trade, and retail trade. Notwithstanding the low precision of many of the odds ratio estimates, the following workplace exposures show ed some evidence of excess risk: chromium compounds, chromium (VI) compound s, inorganic acid solutions, styrene-butadiene rubber ozone, hydrogen sulph ide, ultraviolet radiation, hair dust felt dust, jet fuel engine emissions, jet fuel, aviation gasoline, phosphoric acid and inks. Conclusions For most of these associations there exist no, or very little, previous data. Some associations provide suggestive evidence for further st udies. Am. J. Ind. Med. 38:609-618, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.