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Occup Environ Med 2009;66:650-656 doi:10.1136/oem.2008.041616
  • Original article

Automobile industry occupations and bladder cancer: a population-based case-control study in southeastern Michigan, USA

  1. R W Kobrosly1,2,
  2. J R Meliker3,
  3. J O Nriagu4
  1. 1
    Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
  2. 2
    Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
  3. 3
    School of Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, New York, USA
  4. 4
    Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
  1. Correspondence to Roni W Kobrosly, Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA; slyron84{at}gmail.com
  • Accepted 18 February 2009
  • Published Online First 21 May 2009

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether employees in the automobile industry in Michigan are at elevated risk of urinary bladder cancer.

Methods: The authors conducted a population-based case-control study including 418 cases and 571 controls. History of employment within the automobile industry was coded according to the US Census Bureau Index of Occupations. Logistic regression analyses were adjusted for age at interview, cigarette smoking status, and highest education level, and used to assess associations between bladder cancer and (1) ever working in particular occupations within the automobile industry; and (2) usual occupation — defined as occupation of longest duration for each subject.

Results: Ever having worked in the automobile industry and usual employment within the industry exhibited elevated non-significant risks for bladder cancer among assembly line workers, painters and foremen. A higher risk was seen for those who worked for 20 or more years on the assembly line (OR  =  2.10, 95% CI 1.15 to 3.80). Statistical interaction between usual employment on the assembly line and smoking status (>5 pack-years) was demonstrated (OR  =  6.19, 95% CI 2.69 to 14.24).

Conclusions: Among workers on the assembly line for at least 20 years, we observed an approximately twofold risk for bladder cancer. Heavy smokers working on the assembly line experience a sixfold risk for bladder cancer. Further research is necessary to verify this finding, identify the exposures that might be contributing to bladder cancer on the assembly line, and examine whether those exposures continue to persist in today’s workplace.

Footnotes

  • Funding This research was funded by the National Cancer Institute, grant RO-1 CA96002-10.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Ethics approval Ethical approval to conduct this research was obtained from the University of Michigan IRB-Health Committee.

  • Provenance and Peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

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