A case-control study of carcinomas of the nose and paranasal sinuses in the woolen textile manufacturing industry

Arch Environ Health. 1993 Mar-Apr;48(2):94-7. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1993.9938401.

Abstract

A population-based case-control study was conducted in Biella, which is located in northwestern Italy, to investigate the reported association between sinonasal carcinomas and woolen fabrics production. The study included 33 cases diagnosed during 1976-1988 (14 adenocarcinomas, 11 epidermoid carcinomas, 3 other specified carcinomas, 1 unspecified carcinoma, and 4 cases without histologic confirmation) and 131 controls. No association was found with smoking. As reported previously, excess risks were observed in wood and furniture workers (odds ratio [OR] = 4.4, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.41-13.4) and in the leather industry (OR = 3.5, 95% CI = 0.6-20.3). Odds ratios in the wood and furniture industry were 22.0 (95% CI = 4.4-124.0) for adenocarcinomas and 0.9 (95% CI = 0.4-8.3) for epidermoid carcinomas. No association was found with the woolen textile or garment industries (OR = 0.8, 95% CI = 0.2-2.8), nor with farming, construction, metal works, and transport. Odds ratios for the textile industry did not vary with length of exposure or histologic type. Power for detecting an odds ratio of 3.0 at the 95% level of significance was 40%.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Dust / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nose Neoplasms / chemically induced*
  • Nose Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Occupational Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Occupational Diseases / epidemiology
  • Odds Ratio
  • Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / chemically induced*
  • Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Textile Industry*
  • Wool / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Dust