Osteosarcoma, seasonality, and environmental factors in Wisconsin, 1979-1989

Proxy exposure measures and readily available data from the Wisconsin Cancer Reporting System were used to contrast 167 osteosarcoma cases with 989 frequency-matched cancer referents reported during 1979-1989. Differences in potential exposure to water-borne radiation and fluoridated drinking water, population size for the listed place of residence, and seasonality were assessed. An association was found between osteosarcoma and residence in a population of less than 9,000 (odds ratio = 1.6, 95% confidence interval = 1.1-2.4). In addition, an association between month of birth (May through July versus other months of birth) and osteosarcoma among individuals who were less than 25 y of age (odds ratio = 1.9, 95% confidence interval = 1.1-3.4). Overall, no association was found between potential exposure to fluoridated drinking water and osteosarcoma (odds ratio = 1.0, 95% confidence interval = 0.6-1.5). The association between osteosarcoma and water-borne radiation was weak and was not significant statistically (odds ratio = 1.5, 95% confidence interval = 0.8-2.8).