Research Plus

No breast cancer link to engine exhaust at work

Occupational exposure to engine exhaust is not associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, this Australian population-based case–control study found. It looked at 1,202 breast cancer cases and 1,785 controls, approximately matched by age. Questionnaires were used to establish occupational history (details about jobs held for at least six months) as well as other relevant factors, such as demographic characteristics, smoking, physical activity and alcohol consumption. Occupational exposures in different jobs were estimated using data from telephone interviews. Breast cancer was not associated with occupational exposure to diesel exhaust (odds ratio (OR) = 1.07; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.81–1.41), gasoline (petrol) exhaust (OR = 0.98; CI 0.74–1.28), or other engine exhausts (OR = 1.08; CI: 0.29–4.08). There were no significant dose–response or duration–response relationships.

1.  American Journal of Industrial Medicine 2016; 59: 437–444. doi: 10.1002/ajim.22592.

Tags cancer evidence based practice exposure limits hazardous substances

Occupational Health at Work August/September 2016 (vol. 13/2) pp40