Household solvent exposures and childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Objectives. This study explored the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic l eukemia (ALL) associated with participation by household members in hobbies or other home projects involving organic solvents. Methods. Participants in this case-control study were 640 subjects with ALL and 640 matched controls. Results. Childhood ALL was associated with frequent (>4 times/month) exposu re to model building (odds ratio [OR]=1.9; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.7, 5.8) and artwork using solvents (OR = 4.1; 95% CI = 1.1, 15.1). We also found elevated risk (OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.1, 2.7) among children whose mothers lived in homes painted extensively (>4 rooms) in the year before t he children's birth. Conclusions. In this exploratory study, substantial participation by househ old members in some common household activities that involve organic solven ts was associated with elevated risks of childhood ALL.