Case-control study of nasal cancer in workers employed in wood-related industries

A case-control study of nasal cancer deaths in the states of Washington, Oregon, Mississippi, and North Carolina was undertaken to determine whether there was an excess of nasal cancer deaths occurring among workers in wood-related industries. This involved analysis of 536 cases of nasal cancer deaths occurring from 1962 to 1977, compared with 1,072 deaths matched for control. The study showed no overall excess of deaths from nasal cancer in wood-related industries, including furniture manufacturing. There was a statistically significant excess of deaths from nasal cancer occurring in lumber and wood products (risk ratio = 1.95, P less than .05); however, this was largely due to excess in these industries occurring in the states, of North Carolina and Mississippi. Summarizing the available evidence of this study, there seems to be no association between nasal cancer and industry/occupation normally identified with wood dust.