Cancer Incidence and Mortality among Petroleum Industry Workers and Residents Living in Oil Producing Communities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Felix M Onyije,Bayan Hosseini,Kayo Togawa,Joachim Schüz,Ann Olsson

doi:10.3390/ijerph18084343

Abstract

Petroleum extraction and refining are major sources of various occupational exposures and of air pollution and may therefore contribute to the global cancer burden. This systematic review and meta-analysis is aimed at evaluating the cancer risk in petroleum-exposed workers and in residents living near petroleum facilities. Relevant studies were identified and retrieved through PubMed and Web of Science databases. Summary effect size (ES) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were analysed using random effect models, and heterogeneity across studies was assessed (I2). Overall, petroleum industry work was associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma (ES = 2.09, CI: 1.58–2.76), skin melanoma (ES = 1.34, CI: 1.06–1.70 multiple myeloma (ES =1.81, CI: 1.28–2.55), and cancers of the prostate (ES = 1.13, Cl: 1.05–1.22) and urinary bladder (ES = 1.25, CI: 1.09–1.43) and a decreased risk of cancers of the esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, and pancreas. Offshore petroleum work was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer (ES = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.03–1.39) and leukemia (ES = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.12–1.92) in stratified analysis. Residential proximity to petroleum facilities was associated with childhood leukemia (ES = 1.90, CI: 1.34–2.70). Very few studies examined specific exposures among petroleum industry workers or residents living in oil producing communities. The present review warrants further studies on specific exposure levels and pathways among petroleum-exposed workers and residents living near petroleum facilities.

Highlights

Published: 20 April 2021The petroleum industry has been, and still is, an important pillar in many countries0 economy [1]
41 cohort and 10 case-control studies were included in the meta-analysis, while four case-control and two cross-sectional studies were not included in the meta-analysis because these studies examined specific cancer types or exposures for which there were only one study and it was not possible to perform a meta-analysis; yet they are described and discussed separately within our review (Tables 1 and 2)
Living close to petroleum facilities was associated with increased risk of childhood leukemia, while petroleum industry work was associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma, skin melanoma, multiple myeloma, and cancers of the prostate, urinary bladder, and a decreased risk of cancers of the esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, and pancreas

Summary

Introduction

Published: 20 April 2021The petroleum industry has been, and still is, an important pillar in many countries0 economy [1]. Workers in the petroleum industry are exposed to a variety of known or potentially harmful substances [4] and emissions from oil and gas extractions are among the major sources of air pollution in environments and communities where such facilities are situated and operate [5,6,7]. These potential harmful exposures include, among others, heavy metals and hydrocarbons such as benzene which is up to 4 g/L in crude oil [8]. Both benzene and asbestos are classified as Group 1 carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) [4]

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