Environmental and occupational cancer in Argentina: a case-control lung cancer study

Cad Saude Publica. 1998:14 Suppl 3:77-86. doi: 10.1590/s0102-311x1998000700008.

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to analyze the risks for lung cancer associated with occupational exposures in a developing country where lung cancer is the first cause of mortality from cancer in men. The study involved 200 men with lung cancer and 397 hospital controls. The OR for current smokers was 8.5, whereas former smokers displayed an OR of 5.3. The fraction attributable to smoking was 85%. Statistically significant high ORs were observed for employment in the alcoholic beverages (4.5, 95% CI: 1.02-20.2), sawmills and wood mills (4.6, 95% CI:1.1-18.4), chemicals/plastics (1. 8, 95% CI:1.04-3.2), and pottery, glass, or mineral manufactures (3.4, 95% CI:1.1-10.6). Other high (but not statistically significant) risks were observed for employment in leather shoe industry and repair (2.1, 95% CI:0.8-5.4), rubber industries (3.4, 95% CI:0.9-12.4), metal workers, including welders (1.9, 95% CI:0.8-4.4), motor vehicle mechanics (2.0, 95% CI:0.9-4.2), workers in cleaning services (1.9, 95% CI: 0.8-4.5), and for workers in agriculture (2.4, 95% CI:0.9-6.0). Although some of the present results may be due to chance, most are consistent with those of previous investigations in other countries.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Argentina / epidemiology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Environmental Health* / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Lung Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Diseases / epidemiology
  • Occupational Diseases / etiology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Smoking / adverse effects
  • Smoking / epidemiology
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data