1998 Articles

Lung cancer risk and workplace exposures in black men and women

Muscat, Joshua E.; Stellman, Steven D.; Richie, Jr., John P.; Wynder, Ernst L.

There are little data on workplace exposures and lung cancer risk in blacks. An ongoing case–control study of lung cancer that included 550 black men and women with lung cancer and 386 age-matched controls was examined by reported occupational exposures and job titles. In men, significant associations were observed with reported exposure to asbestos [odds ratio (OR), 1.8; 95%confidence intervals (CI) 1.03–3.1] and coal dust (OR, 2.8; 95% CI 1.1–7.0). Elevated but nonsignificant risks of 1.4 or more were detected for the following occupations: police/security guards, farmers/farm workers, laborers, and motor-vehicle drivers. In women, nonsignificant increased risks were found with reported exposure to paint (OR, 1.8) and gas fumes (OR, 4.9). Women employed as farmers/farm workers and building maintenance workers had elevated but nonsignificant risks.