Risk of nasopharyngeal cancer in productive sectors and formaldehyde exposure in bakeries industry

Abstract

Abstract Background The International Agency for Research on Cancer evaluated formaldehyde (F) as carcinogenic for human in association with Nasopharyngeal Cancer (NPC). Occupational exposure to F occurs in many industrial sectors also in those non-traditional. For example in Tuscany F was detected in a bakery where a NPC case had ever worked. Methods In this study a) A case control approach (OCCAM) was used for monitoring occupational risks based on current information sources. Three Italian Regional Operating Centres, collected NPC cases from cancer registries and/or hospital discharge records. Controls were randomly sampled from the regional health service population data. Occupational histories were available through record linkage with the social security pension database (INPS). Study results were reported by industrial sectors, area and gender. b) A specific study on F exposure was conducted in bakeries and pastry industry carrying out measurements to determine the concentration of F in specific tasks and positions. Results 717 cases linked with INPS database. Increased ORs for several industrial sectors such as iron and steel, wood and plastic were observed. In two regions also health and veterinary services and hairdressers were at increased risk, but based on few cases of exposed workers. In the non traditional sector of bakeries and pastry industries, where workplaces were monitored, high levels of F in personal air samplings were found, in particular in processes that involve a strong leavening. Conclusions Many productive sectors, in which F exposure could occurred, were observed to be at higher risk. The measurements performed in the non traditional sector monitored, confirmed the F exposure in some phases of the work process. With this study we contributed to increased knowledge on the risk of NPC within the monitoring system of occupational risks, and to deepen exposure to F in a non traditional productive sector such as bakeries and pastry industries. Key messages The epidemiological method used (OCCAM) in this study provides further information on the role of occupational exposure in the development of nasopharyngeal cancer. The measurements performed in the bakeries and pastry industries provide new additional information on the exposure to formaldehyde in some work process phases of a non-traditional productive sector.