Occupational exposure to gasoline and the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a review and meta-analysis of the literature

Aims: Gasoline comprises over 500 chemicals, including the known or suspected carcinogens benzene, 1,3-butadiene, ethylbenzene and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). To assess whether work in the production, distribution and use of gasoline is associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), we reviewed the published literature on this topic.

Method: English-language peer-reviewed articles were identified by keyword searches of bibliographic databases. Twenty-two cohorts and thirteen case-control studies examined the risk of NHL among persons employed in the downstream petroleum industry.

Result: No positive associations were found with the exception of one study. The pooled risk estimate from a random-effects meta-analysis was 1.02 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.94-1.12). Although there were no estimates available, exposure is likely to have varied by occupation, location and time period; there was no evidence however that risk estimates varied by any of these factors. NHL is a heterogeneous disease, yet no data were reported for NHL subtypes.

Conclusion: In summary, there is no suggestion across an extensive literature that exposure to gasoline at the levels workers' experience in an occupational setting increases the risk of NHL.