Maternal and Paternal Household Pesticide Exposure During Pregnancy and Risk of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate whether risk estimates for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia change when restricting model comparison groups to “nonpesticide exposure” (NPE10) households. Methods Cases (n = 1810) 15 years or younger were identified through Children's Cancer Group institutions between 1989 and 1993 and age-/sex-matched to controls (n = 1951). Household pesticide use during pregnancy/month prior was collected via telephone. NPE10 comparison group reporting no parental exposure to 10 pesticide classes was identified. Results Adjusted odds ratios increased from 15% to 49% when limiting the comparison to NPE10. Maternal termite insecticide exposure was associated with greatest risk (adjusted odds ratio, 4.21; 95% confidence interval, 2.00–8.88). There was minimal evidence of interaction by child sex or occupational pesticide exposure, and no monotonic dose-response pattern with frequency of use (times per year). Conclusions Elevated risks are consistent with published pooled-/meta-analyses and DNA damage. The consistency and magnitude of these associations warrant product labeling, exposure reduction interventions, or both.