Lung cancer and occupational exposure: hospital-based case-control study / Cáncer de pulmón y exposición profesional: estudio caso-control hospitalario / Câncer de pulmão e exposição ocupacional: estudo caso-controle de base hospitalar

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze the relationship between occupation and lung cancer in patients at a national referral hospital for cancer care in southern Brazil. Method Hospital-based case-control study conducted between February and October 2019. Occupational histories were coded according to international classifications and translated into occupations associated with lung cancer (List A and B). The odds ratios were adjusted for smoking, with a 95% confidence interval, calculated by conditional logistic regression. Results 99 cases and 227 controls were included. Among men, the occupation of painters (list A) was associated with lung cancer (OR = 14.3; 95% CI: 1.8-116.5), there were no occupations in list B associated with lung cancer. In women, no increased risks were found. Conclusions It has been shown that exposure to occupational carcinogens among repair and construction painters increases the risk of lung cancer.

RESUMEN Objetivo Analizar la relación entre la ocupación y el cáncer de pulmón en pacientes ambulatorios de un hospital nacional de referencia para la atención oncológica en el sur de Brasil. Método Estudio caso-control hospitalario realizado entre febrero y octubre de 2019. Se codificaron los antecedentes laborales según clasificaciones internacionales y se tradujeron a ocupaciones asociadas con el cáncer de pulmón (Lista A y B). Las odds ratios se ajustaron para el tabaquismo, con un intervalo de confianza del 95%, calculada por regresión logística condicional. Resultados se incluyeron 99 casos y 227 controles. Entre los hombres, la ocupación de pintores (lista A) se asoció con el cáncer de pulmón (OR = 14,3; IC del 95%: 1,8-116,5), no hubo ocupación de la lista B asociada con el cáncer de pulmón. En las mujeres, no se encontraron mayores riesgos. Conclusiones Se ha demostrado que la exposición a carcinógenos ocupacionales entre los pintores de la reparación y la construcción aumenta el riesgo de cáncer de pulmón.

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar a relação entre ocupação e câncer de pulmão em pacientes de um hospital de referência nacional para atendimento oncológico no Sul do Brasil. Método Estudo caso-controle de base hospitalar realizado entre fevereiro e outubro de 2019. Os históricos ocupacionais foram codificados de acordo com classificações internacionais e traduzidos em ocupações associadas ao câncer de pulmão (Lista A e B). As odds ratios foram ajustadas para tabagismo, com intervalo de confiança de 95%, calculadas por regressão logística condicional. Resultados Foram incluídos 99 casos e 227 controles. Entre os homens a ocupação de pintores (lista A) estava associada ao câncer de pulmão (OR= 14,3; IC 95%: 1,8-116,5), não houve ocupações da lista B associadas ao câncer de pulmão. Nas mulheres não foram encontrados riscos aumentados. Conclusões Evidenciou-se que a exposição aos carcinógenos ocupacionais entre pintores de reparo e da construção civil aumentam o risco de câncer de pulmão.

Risco de câncer de pulmão com a história de trabalho e os hábitos de vida: caso-controle / Lung cancer risk with work history and lifestyle habits: case-control

Resumo: Estudo caso-controle, de base hospitalar, realizado em um hospital oncológico no estado do Paraná, com objetivo de avaliar o risco de câncer de pulmão associado à exposição ocupacional a substâncias cancerígenas, cuja hipótese foi estudar se o risco de câncer de pulmão é maior entre indivíduos expostos a essas substâncias quando comparado com indivíduos não expostos. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de entrevista e busca em prontuários físico e eletrônicos, entre janeiro e outubro de 2019. Participaram 99 casos e 227 controles. As variáveis utilizadas para avaliar o risco ocupacional foram ramo de atividade econômica e ocupação, padronizadas por códigos de classificações internacionais. Os códigos foram descritos em ocupações referidas pela Agência Internacional de Pesquisa em Câncer como, reconhecidas ou suspeitas, por acarretarem risco carcinogênico pulmonar, e analisados conforme ferramenta padrão de análise de câncer de pulmão ocupacional. A história ocupacional foi cruzada em uma matriz de exposição ocupacional específica para seis agentes cancerígenos pulmonares, denominada DOM-JEM. Não foi possível pareamento dos controles por sexo e idade. A análise comparativa das variáveis utilizou testes Mann-Whitney e Qui-quadrado. O risco de câncer pulmonar foi estimado pelo Odds ratio e intervalo de confiança de 95%, através da regressão logística condicional. Os modelos foram ajustados por idade, escolaridade, município e tabagismo. As análises ocorreram separadamente por sexo. Tabagismo foi tratado como variável de confusão. Os resultados mostraram risco aumentado de câncer de pulmão para mulheres de serviços agrícolas (OR= 12,9; IC: 3,3-50,9) e das ocupações de: trabalhadoras agrícolas de árvores e arbustos, principalmente, coletoras de café e algodão (OR=3,9; IC: 1,0-15,7); garçonetes (OR= 5,0; IC: 1,0-23,6); e caixas (OR= 10,9; IC: 1,4-79,8). Nos homens, evidências apontaram risco aumentado na fabricação de móveis e acessórios (OR= 27,7; IC: 1,1-677,4) e nas ocupações de: trabalhadores do tratamento de madeira e fabricação de papel/celulose (OR=9,3; IC: 1,0-83,4); e pintores (OR= 14,3; IC: 1,7-116,5). Entre as ocupações reconhecidas por risco carcinogênico pulmonar, apenas a de pintor apresentou risco associado. Não se obteve resultados significativos nas ocupações suspeitas de risco carcinogênico. Entre as mulheres, a exposição concomitante ao cromo e níquel em níveis baixos apontou risco aumentado (OR= 24,8; IC: 1,1-398,7) na matriz de exposição ocupacional. A exposição aos hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos, asbestos e sílica apresentaram riscos aumentados sem associação. Nos homens, não houve associação na matriz. Comprovou-se que a ocupação de pintor esteve associada ao desenvolvimento do câncer nos homens. A exposição aos compostos de cromo-níquel apresentou evidência limitada entre as mulheres. O fato de o trabalho agrícola na coleta de café e algodão representar risco de câncer de pulmão entre as mulheres é pouco estudado e discutido na literatura nacional. O caráter inovador está relacionado à realização de estudos caso-controle para associação entre câncer pulmonar e exposição a agentes químicos. Demonstra-se a necessidade de instrumentalização dos serviços de saúde para que possam identificar as causas do adoecimento do trabalhador relacionado aos agentes químicos, para fins de prevenção e redução dos adoecimentos e dos custos em saúde que oneram a sociedade, o trabalhador e sua família.

Abstract: Hospital-based case-control study conducted at a oncology hospital in the state of Paraná, with objective of assessing the risk of lung cancer associated with occupational exposure to carcinogens, whose hypothesis was to study whether the risk of lung cancer is higher among individuals exposed to these substances when compared to unexposed individuals. Data was obtained through interviews and searches in physical and electronic medical records, between January and October 2019. 99 cases and 227 controls participated. The variables used to assess occupational risk were economic activity and occupation, standardized by international classification codes. The codes were later described into occupations recognized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): carcinogenic risk to the lung, or suspected carcinogenic risk to the lung, according to the standard tool for the analysis of occupational lung cancer in epidemiological studies. Occupational history was crossed with a specific occupational exposure matrix for six lung carcinogens, called DOM-JEM. It was not possible to match the controls by sex and age. The comparative analysis of the variables used the Mann-Whitney and Chi-square tests. The risk of lung cancer was estimated by the Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval, through conditional logistic regression. The models were adjusted for age, education, municipality, and smoking. The analysis was conducted separately by sex. Smoking was treated as a confounding variable. The results showed an increased lung cancer risk for females of agricultural services (OR= 12,9; IC: 3,3-50,9), and in the occupations of agricultural workers of trees and shrubs, mainly coffee and cotton collectors (OR=3,9; IC: 1,0-15,7); waitresses (OR= 5,0; IC: 1,0-23,6); cashiers (OR= 10,9; IC: 1,4-79,8). Among men, evidence pointed to an increased risk in the economic areas of furniture and accessories manufacturing (OR= 27,7; IC: 1,1-677,4); workers in wood treatment and paper or cellulose manufacturing (OR=9,3; IC: 1,0-83,4); and painters (OR = 14.3; CI 1.7-116.5). Among the occupations recognized by pulmonary carcinogenic risk, only that of the painter had an associated risk. No significant results were obtained in occupations suspected of presenting carcinogenic risk. Among women, concomitant exposure to chromium and nickel at low levels pointed an increased risk (OR= 24,8; IC: 1,1-398,7) in the occupational exposure matrix. Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, asbestos and silica presented increased risks without association. In men, there was no association in the matrix. It becomes proven that the occupation of painter was associated with the development of cancer in men. Exposure to chromium-nickel compounds presented limited evidence among women. The fact that agricultural work in the collection of coffee and cotton represents a risk of lung cancer among women is little studied and discussed in national literature. The innovative character is related to the conduct of case-control studies for the association between lung cancer and exposure to chemical agents. It demonstrates the need to instrumental health services so that they can identify the causes of the illness of the worker related to chemical agents, for the purposes of prevention and reduction of illnesses and health costs that burden society, the worker and your family.

Lung cancer related to occupational exposure: an integrative review / Cáncer de pulmón relacionado con la exposición ocupacional: revisión integrativa / Câncer de pulmão relacionado à exposição ocupacional: revisão integrativa

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify in the literature the carcinogenic agents found in the work environment, the occupations and the risk for lung cancer. Method: A descriptive and analytical study of the Integrative Literature Review type was carried out in national and international databases from the last ten years in the period from 2009 to 2018, concerning 32 studies referring to association between carcinogenic substances to which the worker is exposed and lung cancer. Results: Nine (28.1%) publications originated in China and only one in Brazil. The most exposed workers were from the secondary sector, 50% being from industry and 6.2% from construction, mostly male. Asbestos and silica stood out among the carcinogenic substances most associated with lung cancer risk, accounting for 37.5% and 28.1%, respectively. Conclusions: The association between occupational exposure and the risk for lung cancer was characterized in this research by the substantial scientific evidence from the described studies that confirm this association.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar en la literatura los agentes cancerígenos presentes en el entorno laboral, las ocupaciones y el riesgo de cáncer de pulmón. Método: Estudio descriptivo y analítico de una revisión integradora realizada en una base de datos nacional e internacional de los últimos diez años, entre 2009 y 2018, que comprende 32 estudios referidos a la vinculación entre el cáncer de pulmón y las sustancias cancerígenas de exposición ocupacional. Resultados: Nueve (28,1%) publicaciones tuvieron su origen en China y solo una en Brasil. Los trabajadores más expuestos pertenecían al sector secundario, el 50% a la industria y un 6,2% a la construcción, siendo en su mayoría hombres. El asbesto y la sílice se destacaron entre las sustancias cancerígenas más asociadas con el riesgo de cáncer de pulmón, con índices de 37,5% y el 28,1%, respectivamente. Conclusiones: La vinculación entre la exposición ocupacional y el riesgo de cáncer de pulmón se caracterizó en esta investigación por la evidencia científica sustancial de los estudios descriptos que confirman esta asociación.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar na literatura os agentes carcinogênicos presentes no ambiente ocupacional, as ocupações e o risco do câncer de pulmão. Método: Estudo descritivo e analítico de revisão integrativa realizada em base de dados nacionais e internacionais dos últimos dez anos, entre 2009 e 2018, compreendendo 32 estudos referentes à associação entre câncer de pulmão e substâncias carcinogênicas de exposição ocupacional. Resultados: Nove (28,1%) publicações originadas na China e apenas uma brasileira. Os trabalhadores mais expostos foram do setor secundário, sendo 50% da indústria e 6,2% da construção civil, em sua maioria do sexo masculino. O amianto e a sílica sobressaíram-se entre as substâncias carcinogênicas mais associadas ao risco de câncer de pulmão correspondendo a 37,5% e 28,1%, respectivamente. Conclusões: A associação entre a exposição ocupacional e o risco de câncer de pulmão ficou caracterizada nesta pesquisa pelas substanciais evidências científicas dos estudos descritos que confirmam essa associação.

Occupation and mesothelioma in Sweden: updated incidence in men and women in the 27 years after the asbestos ban / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: We updated the Swedish component of the Nordic Occupational Cancer (NOCCA) Study through 2009 in order to investigate the incidence of mesothelioma of the peritoneum and pleura in both genders, and explored occupational exposures that may be associated with mesothelioma. METHODS: The Swedish component of the NOCCA Study includes 6.78 million individuals. Data from this cohort were linked to the population-based Swedish Cancer Registry and Swedish Total Population Registry for three periods between 1961 and 2009, and then further linked to the Swedish NOCCA job-exposure matrix, which includes 25 carcinogenic substances and the corresponding exposure levels for 280 occupations. Multivariate analysis was used to calculate standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for mesothelioma of the peritoneum and pleura by gender, occupational category, carcinogenic substance, and for multiple occupational exposures simultaneously. RESULTS: A total of 3,716 incident mesotheliomas were recorded (21.1% in women). We found a significantly increased risk of mesothelioma in 24 occupations, as well as clear differences between the genders. Among men, increased risks of mesothelioma of the pleura were observed in male-dominated occupations, with the greatest elevation of risk among plumbers (SIR, 4.99; 95% confidence interval, 4.20 to 5.90). Among women, increased risks were observed in sewing workers, canning workers, packers, cleaners, and postal workers. In multivariate analysis controlling for multiple occupational exposures, significant associations were only observed between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma. CONCLUSIONS: Asbestos exposure was associated with mesothelioma incidence in our study. The asbestos ban of 1982 has yet to show any clear effect on the occurrence of mesothelioma in this cohort. Among women, the occupations of canning workers and cleaners showed increased risks of mesothelioma of the pleura without evidence of asbestos exposure.

The Characteristics of the Appearance and Health Risks of Volatile Organic Compounds in Industrial (Pohang, Ulsan) and Non-Industrial (Gyeongju) Areas

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify the health and environmental risk factors of air contaminants that influence environmental and respiratory diseases in Gyeongju, Pohang and Ulsan in South Korea, with a focus on volatile organic compounds (VOCs). METHODS: Samples were collected by instantaneous negative pressure by opening the injection valve in the canister at a fixed height of 1 to 1.5 m. The sample that was condensed in -150degrees C was heated to 180degrees C in sample pre-concentration trap using a 6-port switching valve and it was injected to a gas chromatography column. The injection quantity of samples was precisely controlled using an electronic flow controller equipped in the gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. RESULTS: The quantity of the VOC emissions in the industrial area was 1.5 to 2 times higher than that in the non-industrial area. With regards to the aromatic hydrocarbons, toluene was detected at the highest level of 22.01 ppb in Ulsan, and chloroform was the halogenated hydrocarbons with the highest level of 10.19 ppb in Pohang. The emission of toluene was shown to be very important, as it accounted for more than 30% of the total aromatic hydrocarbon concentration. CONCLUSIONS: It was considered that benzene in terms of the cancer-causing grade standard, toluene in terms of the emission quantity, and chloroform and styrene in terms of their grades and emission quantities should be selected for priority measurement substances.

Occupational Respiratory Cancer in Korea

Malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer are representative examples of occupational cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, and the incidence of malignant mesothelioma is expected to increase sharply in the near future. Although information about lung carcinogen exposure is limited, it is estimated that the number of workers exposed to carcinogens has declined. The first official case of occupational cancer was malignant mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure in the asbestos textile industry in 1992. Since then, compensation for occupational respiratory cancer has increased. The majority of compensated lung cancer was due to underlying pneumoconiosis. Other main causative agents of occupational lung cancer included asbestos, hexavalent chromium, and crystalline silica. Related jobs included welders, foundry workers, platers, plumbers, and vehicle maintenance workers. Compensated malignant mesotheliomas were associated with asbestos exposure. Epidemiologic studies conducted in Korea have indicated an elevated risk of lung cancer in pneumoconiosis patients, foundry workers, and asbestos textile workers. Occupational respiratory cancer has increased during the last 10 to 20 yr though carcinogen-exposed population has declined in the same period. More efforts to advance the systems for the investigation, prevention and management of occupational respiratory cancer are needed.