Intraocular Melanoma Linked to Occupations and Chemical Exposures

Abstract

We conducted a case-control study in the western United States to determine the relation between occupations or chemical exposures and increased risk of uveal melanoma. Among men (221 patients, 447 controls), we found increased risks for occupational groups who had intense exposure to ultraviolet light [odds ratio (OR) = 3.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.2-7.8], welding exposure (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.3-3.5), and asbestos exposure (OR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.5-3.9 for most likely exposed). The highest odds ratio was for the small number of men (nine cases, three controls) who were chemists, chemical engineers, and chemical technicians (OR = 5.9; 95% CI = 1.6-22.7). Odds ratios also were elevated for exposures to antifreeze, formaldehyde, pesticides, and carbon tetrachloride, but these findings, based on recall of specific chemical exposures, are more subject to recall bias than the findings based on occupational groups.

Mobile phones and malignant melanoma of the eye

“…A recently published case -control interview study from Germany reported a significant four-fold increased risk of malignant melanoma of the eye associated with the use of radiofrequency (RF) transmitting devices, including mobile telephones (Stang et al, 2001). These data were generally consistent with a previous case -control investigation linking uveal melanoma with occupations involving radiofrequency exposures to radar and microwaves (Holly et al, 1996). To evaluate whether radiofrequency exposure might increase the risk of ocular cancer, we compared incidence data from the Danish Cancer Registry with information on the number of cellular telephone users in Denmark over the past two decades.…”

“…of mobile telephone subscribers Figure 1 Age-standardized World Standard Population (WSP) annual incidence (cases per 100 000) of ocular malignant melanoma in Denmark 1943 -1996 and number of subscribers to cellular telephones, Denmark 1982-1996.…”

Artificial ultraviolet radiation and ocular melanoma in Australia

“…However, the small numbers of subjects with iris and conjunctival melanoma preclude certainty about risks associated with exposure to UVR. 2 New England Exposure to welding arcs 15 years before diagnosis 1.3 (0.5-3.1) 2 Ajani et al 5 New England Occupationally exposed to welding arc 15 years before diagnosis 1.0 (0.5-2.1) 4 Siemiatycki et al 6 Montreal Any occupational exposure to arc welding fumes 8.3 (2.5-27.1) 5 Any occupational exposure to gas welding fumes "No association" Holly et al 3 San Francisco History of welding burn, sunburn to eye, or snow blindness 7.2 (2.5-20.6) 3 Holly et al 4 San Francisco Men occupationally exposed to welding (self-welding or in proximity of others) for Ն 3 hr/week for Ն 6 months 2.2 (1.3-3.5) 6 Men occupationally exposed to welding for Ն 11 years 1.9 (1.0-3.6) 6 Men first occupationally exposed to welding Ն 30 years before diagnosis 2.1 (1.1-4.0) 6 Guenel et al 7 France Cumulative occupational exposure to artificial UVR (job exposure matrix) 5.5 (1.8-17.2) 7…”

“…Men employed as a welder or sheet metal worker for Ն 20 years 11.5 (2.4-55.5) 8 Seddon et al 2 included choroid and ciliary body only; Holly et al 4 also included conjunctiva. Same subjects used in Seddon et al 2 and Ajani et al 5 studies.…”

“…High risks of ocular melanoma have been reported with exposure to welding but inconsistently so. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Estimates of risk from exposure to sunlamps are more consistent but none of the previous studies was population based, adequately controlled for personal sun exposure, or considered changes in sunlamp emissions over time. [1][2][3] We examined the relationship between risk of melanoma of the choroid and ciliary body, iris and conjunctiva and exposure to welding equipment and sunlamps in Australia by way of a casecontrol study of cases of primary ocular melanoma diagnosed in Australia between January 1996 and July 1998.…”