Occupational risk of bladder cancer among Iranian male workers

Approximately 5-10% of human cancers are thought to be caused by occupational exposure to carcinogens. Compare to other cancers, bladder cancer is most strongly linked to occupational exposure to chemical toxins. This study has been performed to understand which occupations and exposures are related to bladder cancer in Iran. This study is a case-control study which is conducted on cases with bladder cancer [160 cases] diagnosed in Baharlou hospital in 2007-2009. One hundred sixty cases without any occupational exposure were considered as controls matched for demographic characteristics. Demographic data and characteristics of occupation were compared. Mean age of cases and controls were 63.7 and 64 years, respectively [P = 0.841]. History of urinary tract stone had significantly difference in two groups [P = 0.039]. Occupations such as bus and truck driving, road and asphalt making, mechanics, working in refinery and Petrochemical, plastic, metal manufactory, welding, and pipeline founded a higher risk for bladder cancer rather than controls. Our findings on Iranian workers are concurrent and compatible with findings of previous reports about occupational and environmental risk factors of bladder cancer. Although our study population was not little, further studies are needed to declare the risk of working in some occupations such as drivers and metal factories for bladder cancer

Relationship between blood lead level and male reproductive hormones in male lead exposed workers of a battery factory: a cross-sectional study

The reproductive system is one of the organs that are affected by lead. Lead can cause loss of libido and fertility in men, and menstrual disturbances and spontaneous abortion in woman. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was assessment of dose-response relationship between blood lead level [BLL] and sex hormones levels in lead exposed male workers. One hundred and thirteen male workers enrolled. All workers had at least 6 months of lead exposure and no history of diseases or conditions affecting reproductive system. Blood lead level and hormones levels measured with atomic absorption spectrophotometer and radioimmunoassay method, respectively. Average duration of exposure was 15.92 +/- 6.95 years. Mean BLL was 41.41micro g/dl +/- 16.99. All of the sex hormones values were in normal range. Pearson correlation showed that sex hormones levels had no significant correlation with blood lead level. Also, there was no significant difference in sex hormones levels between workers with BLL <40micro g/dl and workers whose BLL was >40 micro g/dl. This study showed that BLL cannot serve as a predictor of male sex hormonal changes. However, it is not possible to rule out the effect of lead on the reproductive system after long-term exposure

Evaluation of occupational risk factors in non-hodgkin lymphoma and hodgkin's disease in Iranian men

Lymphoma is a malignancy, arises from lymphoid tissue. Nowadays, it is the ninth most common cancer in Iran. The risk factors of malignant lymphomas have not well determined, but since 20 years ago till now, too many epidemiological researches have been concerning either Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma [NHL] or Hodgkin's Disease [HD]. It is a common usual hypothesis that idiosyncratic reaction to common physical, chemical, and viral agents could lead to lymphoma without obvious immune deficiency. Some occupations has reported to cause increasing "NHL" risks, such as rubber industry, veterinaries, uranium mining, metal working, asbestos exposing, farming, textile industry, and benzene exposing. The roles of ionizing radiation, benzene and other environmental agents have not been clear, because of the lack of confirmed evidences for relation between the occupational and environmental agents with "HD". A case-control study with 150 cases of malignant lymphoma and 150 controls have performed in Tehran. Data have selected through face-to-face interviews about the medical and occupational histories. In this study, there was a significantly increased risk for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in these occupations; welders, metal workers, founders, aluminium workers OR=4.6[Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.47-14.35] and increased risk for Hodgkin's Disease in drivers OR=2.34[[CI]:0.86-6.35]. We have found out decreased NHL risk in office workers OR=0.54 [[CI]:0.29-1.02] and also found out a non-significant increased NHL risk in farmers OR=1.58 [[CI]:0.82-3.03]. In this study, we have found no relation between smoking and HD, or NHL. The results of this study suggest that several occupations could alter the risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Hodgkin's Disease.