Breast cancer-related occupational exposures facing immigrant women

Immigrants comprise roughly 14% of the U.S. population, and studies indicate that breast cancer increases among some immigrant groups after relocating to the U.S.

We characterized exposures to breast cancer-relevant chemicals in jobs commonly occupied by U.S. immigrant women, aged 18-65.

We analyzed data from the American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample to profile which occupations are most prevalent for immigrant women and integrated these results with data on occupational chemical exposures from the Women's Occupations and Risk from Chemicals tool, which identifies occupations with probable and possible chemical exposures of relevance for breast cancer.

Immigrant women most commonly work as house cleaners, nurses, cashiers, janitors, and care aides, and comprise 71% of manicurists. We prioritize the occupations house cleaners and nurses for their combination of high potential exposures and the large number of immigrant women employed in these occupations. Chemicals of interest are those found in fragrances, and cleaning and maintenance products, including phthalates, antimicrobials, and alkylphenols. Many of these compounds are mammary gland carcinogens and developmental toxicants, and/or endocrine disruptors.

There are few studies of breast cancer-relevant chemical exposures for most occupations, including those heavily represented by immigrant women. By identifying jobs that employ large numbers of immigrant women and are associated with a high likelihood of exposure to potential breast carcinogens, we inform future research on breast cancer-relevant exposures and opportunities for preventative exposure reduction. We also show that immigrant women with lower levels of education and English fluency work in occupations with more potential for harmful chemical exposures.