Relation of soft-tissue sarcoma, malignant lymphoma and colon cancer to phenoxy acids, chlorophenols and other agents

An association between exposure to phenoxy acids or chlorophenols and soft-tissue sarcoma and malignant lymphoma has previously been reported. An association between exposure to organic solvents and malignant lymphoma has been demonstrated as well. In the present investigation the validity of the assessment of exposure to phenoxy acids and chlorophenols in the previous studies has been further analyzed, partly through a reconsideration of original data and partly through the utilization of another cancer type (colon cancer) for comparison. No observational bias was found which could distort the earlier findings. No significant association was found for these chemicals and colon cancer, whereas exposure to asbestos showed about a twofold increase in risk for colon cancer, an occurrence in agreement with previously reported findings.