A review of the epidemiology of trichloroethylene and kidney cancer

The occupational epidemiological studies of trichloroethylene (TCE) exposur e and kidney cancer are reviewed. Seven occupational cohort studies, conduc ted in the U.S., Finland, and Sweden involving over 130,000 workers, do not report statistically increased risks of kidney cancer among TCE-exposed wo rkers. These studies were based on well-defined cohorts and exposure assess ments involving urine biomonitoring or some type of job exposure matrix. In contrast, two German studies reported eight- to eleven-fold increased risk s for renal cancer among TCE-exposed workers. However, numerous methodologi cal and analytical shortcomings severely limit any interpretation of the Ge rman studies. We conclude that the more reliable epidemiologic data do not support a causal relationship between kidney cancer and TCE exposure.