Occupational nonsolar risk factors of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin: a population-based case-controlled study

The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between occupation, nonsolar environmental exposures, and risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin. Data from the Southeastern Arizona Health Study-2 were used. This was a population-based case-controlled study [n = 795) conducted during 1992-1996 in southeastern Arizona to primarily assess the risk of skin SCC in relation to sun exposure. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate odd ratios as the estimate of effect. High-risk occupations were identified through literature review. There was evidence of a slightly elevated risk of skin SCC for subjects reporting a history of construction work (OR = 1.38, 95 % CI = 0.61-3.14), and automobile and machine work (OR = 1.21, 95 % CI = 0.48-3.06) Furthermore, there were no statistically significant associations between risk of skin SCC and history of exposure to specific chemical and other nonsolar environmental agents. A slight indication of increased risk for skin SCC was noted for exposure to nonsolar light (OR = 1.33, 95 % CI = 0.92-2.26), construction/machinery materials (OR = 1.12, 95 % CI = 0.76-1.84), fluorescent light (OR = 1.56, 95 % CI = 0.92-2.61), gypsum (OR = 1.84, 95 % CI = 0.68-5.0), coal tar and dandruff shampoos (OR = 1.28, 95 % CI = 0.85-1.9), and cement dust (OR = 1.81, 95 % CI = 0.90-3.62). A large although statistically insignificant risk was seen for exposure to arsenic (OR = 4.21, 95 % CI = 0.40-43.9) and ethylene glycol (OR = 8.46, 95 % CI = 0.77-92.9). Several of the results of this analysis are consistent with literature and conclusions from previous epidemiological studies. However, lack of power and small sample size deem these results as inconclusive until more research and larger studies are conducted.