Occupational chemical exposure assessment in a brain cancer case-control study

The interaction of an individual with his/her work environment has been the focus of much attention. In the occupational setting, chemical exposures are rarely limited to one chemical. Identifying workplace chemicals that may lead to cancer is even more difficult to evaluate. A group of 18 known or suspected animal neurocarcinogens found in the workplace were considered in this study.;The association between potential workplace chemical exposures and the risk of glioma, was examined. First, self-reported work histories were used to develop a cumulative exposure score for each study participant. This score was based on the 18 ANCs found in the workplace, the length of time the study participant spent in that workplace and the occupation of the study participant while in that workplace. Scores were compared to case/control status. Industry, occupation and ANC comparisons were also made. Second, questionnaire data was used to examine the association between three compounds, acrylamide, 1,3-butadiene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Finally, a biomarker of exposure study was conducted to examine the relationship between exposure to acrylamide and 1,3-butadiene, as determined by hemoglobin adduct analysis, and potential workplace exposures.;While a cumulative exposure score was generated based on the potential for occupational exposure to 18 different ANCs the scores, the association with an increased risk of glioma was not statistically significant. SIC code 17-Special Trade Contractors and SIC code-20-Food and Kindred Products industries may warrant further study. Using questionnaire data, no statistically significant results were obtained for study chemicals in the second study. The biomarker study did detect the first reported observation of the pyr-V hemoglobin adduct for 1,3-butadiene which is significant in that this adduct represents the formation of the most mutagenic epoxide following exposure. The biomarker study was small and did not provide strong evidence for occupational exposure to acrylamide or 1,3-butadiene. Some evidence for exposure due to diet and/or second hand smoke was suggested.