Exposure to Multiple Pesticides and Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Men from Six Canadian Provinces
Author Information
Author(s): Karin Hohenadel, Shelley A. Harris, John R. McLaughlin, John J. Spinelli, Punam Pahwa, James A. Dosman, Paul A. Demers, Aaron Blair
Primary Institution: Occupational Cancer Research Centre
Hypothesis
What is the relationship between exposure to multiple pesticides and the risk of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in men?
Conclusion
The risk of NHL increases with the number of pesticides used, especially when considering those with evidence of carcinogenicity.
Supporting Evidence
- Risk of NHL increased with the number of pesticides used.
- Odds ratios for those using five or more potentially carcinogenic pesticides were 1.94.
- Elevated risks were found among those using malathion in combination with other pesticides.
Takeaway
Using more pesticides can make you more likely to get a type of cancer called Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Methodology
Data from a case-control study conducted between 1991 and 1994 in six Canadian provinces were analyzed, comparing 513 NHL cases to 1,506 controls.
Potential Biases
Recall bias may have influenced the accuracy of reported pesticide exposure.
Limitations
The study relied on self-reported pesticide use, which may lead to exposure measurement error and recall bias.
Participant Demographics
Participants were Canadian men aged 19 and older, with a significant portion having lived or worked on a farm.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p(trend) = 0.01
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 1.20–2.21
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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