Occupational exposures and risk of adenocarcinoma of the lung in Uruguay

Objective: To investigate occupational risks of lung adenocarcinoma in Uruguay and to confirm a previously reported increased risk among butchers. Methods: We conducted a case-control study among men in four major hospitals in Montevideo, based on interviews to 338 cases of lung adenocarcinoma and 1014 hospital-based controls. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) of lung adenocarcinoma for employment in 22 jobs, after adjustment for tobacco smoking and other potential confounders. Results: The OR was increased for employment as farmer, tractor driver, painter and medical worker, but no trend was suggested for duration of employment. Long-term employment as mason, glass worker or textile worker resulted in an increased OR. The OR for employment as butcher was 1.2 (95% confidence interval 0.7-2.1). The OR increased with increasing duration of self-reported exposure to formaldehyde. Conclusions: Occupational exposures seem to play a limited role in causing lung adenocarcinoma among men in Uruguay. Employment as butcher was not confirmed as an important risk factor.