Sinonasal Cancer and Occupation: A Case-Control Study1

Abstract

In reviews of malignancy and occupation, cancer of the nose and paranasal sinuses (sinonasal cancer (SNC) is frequently mentioned. In a case-control study of SNC among subjects who died in Connecticut in the period 1935--1975, occupations from death certificates and city directories were compared to job titles taken from previous literature. The results do not support an association of the cancer with nickel (odds ratio = 0.7, 95% confidence limits (CL): 0.4, 1.5) but do support an association with cutting oils (odds ratio = 2.8, 95% CL: 1.4, 5.7) and wood dust (odds ratio = 4.0, 95% CL: 1.5, 10.8). Actual exposure to these agents was not documented, but the results were consistent with other features of the study and with previous literature. In a search for other occupational correlates, SNC was also found to be positively associated with cutters and with construction workers.

Occupational exposure to chlorophenol and the risk of nasal and nasopharyngeal cancers among U.S. men aged 30 to 60

“…As described in Hoppin et al [1998], while chlorophenolic biocides are known to have been used in some cutting oils, the prevalence of their use, as well as changes in their pattern of use over time, are unclear. One previous study reported an association between occupational exposure to cutting oils and sinonasal cancer [Roush et al, 1980]. The results of the current analysis support the association reported by Roush et al, and suggest that further work should seek to establish whether chlorophenols in cutting oils, some other constituent of cutting oils, or another aspect of machining is etiologically linked to nasal and nasopharyngeal cancer.…”

“…Work in wood-related occupations has been reported to be associated with nasal and nasopharyngeal cancers [Acheson et al, 1967;Brinton et al, 1977;Roush et al, 1980;Elwood, 1981;Brinton et al, 1984;Vaughan and Davis, 1991;Sriamporn et al, 1992]. Chlorophenols, used as wood preservatives, are one of the suspected exposures within wood-related occupations.…”

A case-referent study on nasal cancer and exposure to wood dust in the province of Siena, Italy.

“…Because of t h e low incidence of nasal cancers, the case-referent approach proved to b e suitable t o test the association of this disease with occupational exposures in t h e wood and furniture industry (4,5,8,11,13), given that t h e proportion of exposed people i n t h e population under study were not too low.…”

Demographic correlation between occupation and maxillary sinuses cancer mortality in Japan.

“…The previous study did not include a house carpenter but in the present study, occupation I, which was construction workers including house carpenters seemed to positively correlate with the cancer mortality. The construction workers or house carpenters have been reported to be a risk occupation for the maxillary sinuses cancer (Acheson, 1972;Milham, 1974;Ironside, 1975;Roush, 1980 …”