Research Plus

No lung cancer link in baking industry

Male bakers are not at increased risk of lung cancer, according to this international research project. Data were drawn from the SYNERGY study of occupational cancers being carried out in 16 countries. The analysis involved 974 individuals – 852 men and 122 women – doing baking jobs (bakers, pastry cooks etc). For male bakery workers, there was no increased risk of lung cancer (OR = 1.01; CI 0.86– 1.18). There was an increased risk in women (OR = 1.87; CI 1.02–3.42), but the reported raised risks were down to a single study from Italy, which the authors put down to a ‘chance finding’.

Lung cancer risk among bakers, pastry cooks and confectionary makers: the SYNERGY study. Occupational Environmental Medicine 2013 70(11): 810–814

Tags cancer evidence based practice exposure limits hazardous substances

Occupational Health at Work February/March 2014 (vol. 10/5) pp41