Occupational solvent exposure and risk of glioma in the INTEROCC study

The aetiology of glioma remains largely unknown. Occupational solvent exposure has been suggested as a putative cause of glioma, but past studies have been inconsistent. We examined the association between a range of solvents and glioma risk within the INTEROCC project, a study of brain tumours and occupational exposures based on data from seven national case-control studies conducted in the framework of the INTERPHONE study. We also investigated associations according to tumour grade.

Data from the seven countries were standardised and then combined into one aggregate data set. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were estimated for adjusted models that included sex, age, country-region of residence and level of educational attainment. Exposures to any solvent or 11 specific solvents or subgroups were assessed using a modified version of the FINJEM job exposure matrix (JEM) specifically developed for the study, called INTEROCC-JEM.

Analysis included 2000 glioma cases and 5565 controls. For glioma and ever/never exposure to any solvent, the OR was 0.91 (95% confidence interval: 0.74-1.11). All ORs were <1.0 for specific solvents/subgroups. There were no increases in risk according to high or low grade of tumour.

The results of this study show no consistent associations for any solvent exposures overall or by grade of tumour.