Soft tissue sarcoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in workers exposed to phenoxy herbicides, chlorophenols, and dioxins: two nested case-control studies.
Abstract
A study was conducted on the risk of soft tissue sarcoma and nonHodgkin's lymphoma among an international cohort of workers exposed to phenoxy herbicides or chlorophenols. Data on mortality of phenoxy herbicide or chlorophenol exposed workers due to soft tissue sarcoma and nonHodgkin's lymphoma were obtained from the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Excess risk for soft tissue sarcoma was seen for those exposed to any phenoxy herbicides, such as 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic-acid (94757) (2,4-D), 2,4,5- trichlorophenoxyacetic-acid (93765) (2,4,5-T), 4-chloro-2- methylphenoxyacetic-acid (94746), to any polychlorinated dibenzodioxin or furan, and to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1746016) (TCDD). A dose response relationship was observed for 2,4- D, 2,4,5-T, TCDD, and any polychlorinated dibenzodioxin. Associations of chemical exposure with nonHodgkin's lymphoma were generally lower than those seen for soft tissue sarcoma. Excess risk for exposure to 2,4,5-T, TCDD, and polychlorinated dibenzodioxins or furans was approximately twofold for this disease while a threefold increased risk was observed for exposure to pentachlorophenol (87865) or gamma-butyrolactone (96480). Dose response relationships were identified for lymphoma and 2,4,5-T and any polychlorinated dibenzodioxin or furan.