Occupational risk factors for cancer of the central nervous system: a case-control study on death certificates from 24 U.S. states

The risk of cancer of the central nervous system (CNS) by industry and occupation was investigated with a case-control analysis of the death certificates of 28,416 cases and 113,664 controls, selected from over 4.5 million deaths in 24 U.S. states between 1984 and 1992. Industries showing consistent increases in risk by gender and race included textile mills, paper mills, printing and publishing industries, petroleum refining, motor vehicles manufacturing, telephone and electric utilities, department stores, health care services, elementary and secondary schools, and colleges and universities. CNS cancer risk was increased for administrators in education and related fields, secondary school teachers, and other education- and health-related occupations. The application of job-exposure matrices to the industry/occupation combinations revealed a modest increase in risk for potential contact with the public at work and exposure to solvents. Occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) was not associated with CNS cancer, although an association was observed with a few EMF-related occupations and industries. Agricultural exposures were associated with significant risk increases among white women and white men. Further work is required to investigate in more detail specific occupational exposures or possible confounders responsible for the observed associations.