Exposure to ambient dichloromethane in pregnancy and infancy from industrial sources and childhood cancers in California

Abstract

Background The incidence of childhood cancers has been increasing, and environmental exposure to air toxics has been suggested as a possible risk factor. This study aims to explore ambient exposure to dichloromethane (methylene chloride). Methods We frequency matched by birth year approximately 20 cancer-free controls identified from birth records to all childhood cancers ages 0–5 in the California Cancer Registry diagnosed from 1988–2012; i.e. 13,636 cases and a total of 270,673 controls. Information on industrial releases of dichloromethane within 3km of birth addresses was retrieved from mandatory industry reports to the EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). We derived exposure to dichloromethane within close vicinity of birth residences using several modeling techniques including unconditional logistic regression models with multiple buffer distances, inverse distance weighting, and quadratic decay models. Results We observed elevated risks for germ cell tumors [Odds Ratio (OR): 1.52, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.11, 2.08], particularly teratomas (OR: 2.08, 95% CI 1.38–3.13), and possible increased risk for acute myeloid leukemias (AML) (OR: 1.29, 95% CI 0.93, 1.77). Risk estimates were similar in magnitude whether releases occurred in pregnancy or the child’s first year of life. Conclusion Our findings suggest that exposure to industrial dichloromethane releases may be a risk factor for childhood germ cell tumors, teratomas, and possibly AML.

A spatial analysis of childhood cancer and industrial air pollution in a metropolitan area of Colombia

“…The CC cluster in this area can also be explained by multiple factors such as the proximity to high traffic roads with high flow of vehicles using diesel fuel; diesel is an agent defined as carcinogen by IARC, which has been found associated with CC 35 . Likewise, the high risk of CC in the industrial area might also be related with the occupational exposure of parents who live near the workplace; there are several authors who have found a relationship between CC and maternal or paternal occupation 36‐40 . In addition, other contaminants with other exposure routes could be considered.…”

A spatial analysis of childhood cancer and industrial air pollution in a metropolitan area of Colombia

“…As also for the permanent transit of this type of automotive in this area, due to the loading and unloading of merchandise in the industrial sources that are in this industrial agglomerate. Likewise, in this area of industrial agglomerate the exhibition may not be related to air emissions but to the occupational exposure of parents who live near the workplace; there are several authors who have found a relationship between childhood cancer and maternal or paternal occupation [40] [41] [42] [43] [44].…”

Development of Organic Gas Sensor Using Quartz Crystal Microbalance Coated with Plasma-polymerized Films

“…(5) Also, VOCs have been reported to cause health problems such as carcinogenesis after longterm exposure; thus, countermeasures are required. (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12) If we can constantly monitor the types and concentrations of VOCs used in manufacturing processes and laboratories, we can maintain a safe work environment. In this study, polymer thin films that can detect VOCs were formed by plasma polymerization, and their gas adsorption characteristics and desorption were investigated using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM).…”