Occupational Exposure to Metalworking Fluids and Risk of Breast Cancer Among Female Autoworkers

Details

• Personal Author:
  Eisen EA ; Kriebel D ; Quinn, Margaret M. ; Thompson D ; Wegman, David H.
• Description:
  Background: Metalworking fluids (MWF) are used for lubrication during metal manufacturing. Previous studies have observed increased risks of several cancers among MWF-exposed workers. We hypothesized that MWF may be associated with risk of breast cancer because they can contain carcinogenic or endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Methods: We conducted a case-control study nested in a cohort of 4,680 female automobile workers employed for at least 3 years between 1/1/41 and 1/1/85, with follow-up through 1994. Cases were identified using the National Death Index (NDI), Michigan cancer registries, and company records. Detailed quantitative MWF exposure data were available for each subject, although data on known breast cancer risk factors were not. Results: Ninety-nine cases of breast cancer and 626 matched controls were identified. There was a weak positive association between lifetime cumulative exposure to soluble MWF and breast cancer risk, but no evidence of association with either straight or synthetic fluids. When exposure was divided into time-windows, the association was strongest for soluble MWF in the decade preceding diagnosis. Controlling for earlier exposures, there was an odds ratio of 1.18 (95% CI=1.02-1.35) per mg/m3-year of cumulative exposure to soluble MWF in this 10-year period. Conclusion: This hypothesis-generating study provides some preliminary evidence for an association between exposure to soluble MWF and increased risk of breast cancer. Additional studies of MWF and breast cancer, with data on known breast cancer risk factors, are warranted. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Aging Automobiles Carcinogens Chemistry Environmental Exposure Hazardous Substances Lubricants Neoplasms Occupational Health Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Women

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• Keywords:
  Age Groups Author Keywords: Breast Cancer Automotive Industry Breast Cancer Cancer Chemical Hazards Chemical Properties Endocrine Function Epidemiology Exposure Levels Female Workers Health Effects Humans Metalworking Fluids MWFs Occupational Exposure Pre-menopausal Risk Factors

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• ISSN:
  0271-3586
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  153-160
• Volume:
  47
• Issue:
  2
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20059561
• Citation:
  Am J Ind Med 2005 Feb; 47(2):153-160
• Contact Point Address:
  Dr. Deborah Thompson, Center for Family and Community Health, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 4th Floor, 250 Washington Street, Boston, MA
• Email:
  Deborah.c.Thompson@state.ma.us
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2005
• Performing Organization:
  Harvard School of Public Health
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20030701
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Industrial Medicine
• End Date:
  20050630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:decc413250d4cae6ca59d3b22851bafd4005718b7e3ae1b39c6104e38ca40b916266717875b57d6b69edcbc771911f757c5c6e7d73c8f1e00a13f49fb0fab315
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/223736/cdc_223736_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 91.55 KB ]