Health effects of phenoxy herbicides. A review

A review of epidemiological studies on the health effects of exposure to phenoxy herbicides suggests that exposure may be associated with an increased incidence of cancer and unfavorable outcomes of pregnancy. Studies on cancer have found increased risks of 5.3, 6.8 and 3.96 for soft-tissue sarcoma, 7.7 and 6.0 for stomach cancer, 2.05 for lung cancer, 4.8 for lymphoma, 2.3 for all cancers combined, and 5.2 for liver cancer after exposure to 2,4,5-T or dioxin contaminants. Several studies have suggested a possible increase in birth defects after paternal exposure. An increased risk of hydatidiform mole is suggested by Vietnamese studies on the effects of maternal exposure.