List of substances included in the present analysis and most common occupations in which these substances were coded in the entire study population, Montreal, 1979–85
| Substances | Lifetime prevalence of exposure (%)3-150 | Main occupations |
| Dusts: | ||
| Carbon black | 5 | Painters and paperhangers; printing press workers; motor vehicle mechanics and repairers. |
| Chrysotile asbestos | 17 | Motor vehicle mechanics; welders and flame cutters; stationary engineers. |
| Alumina | 15 | Metal machinists; motor vehicle mechanics; carpenters. |
| Abrasives dust | 24 | Metal machinists; carpenters; motor vehicle mechanics. |
| Cellulose | 7 | Material handlers; printing press workers; shipping and receiving clerks. |
| Wood dust | 23 | Carpenters; cabinet and wood furniture makers; other construction workers. |
| Crystalline silica | 24 | Carpenters; construction laborers; cabinet and wood furniture makers. |
| Liquids and vapours: | ||
| Mineral spirits (with benzene, toluene, xylene) | 16 | Motor vehicle repairmen; painters; stationary engineers. |
| Toluene | 14 | Motor vehicle mechanics; motor vehicle refinishers; carpenters. |
| Synthetic adhesives | 15 | Shoemakers; carpenters; cabinet and wood furniture makers. |
| Other paints and varnishes | 13 | Painters; carpenters; janitors. |
| Sulphuric acid | 9 | Motor vehicle mechanics; sheet metal workers; tool and die makers. |
| Solvents | 40 | Motor vehicle mechanics; painters; metal machinists. |
| Lubricating oils and greases | 31 | Motor vehicle repairmen; machinists; farmers. |
| Gases and fumes: | ||
| Metal oxide fumes | 19 | Welders and flame cutters; pipefitters and plumbers; motor vehicle mechanics. |
| Nitrogen oxides | 22 | Welders and flame cutters; motor vehicle mechanics; pipefitters and plumbers. |
| Gasoline engine emissions | 42 | Truck, taxi and car drivers; motor vehicle mechanics; woodcutters. |
| Carbon monoxide | 50 | Motor vehicle drivers; motor vehicle mechanics and repairmen; welders and flame cutters. |
| Metals: | ||
| Aluminium compounds | 19 | Metal machinists; carpenters; welders and flame cutters. |
| Iron compounds | 25 | Metal machinists; welders and flame cutters; motor vehicle mechanics. |
| Lead compounds | 47 | Motor vehicle drivers and driver-salesmen; motor vehicle mechanics; painters. |
| Chromium (VI) compounds | 10 | Painters and paperhangers; welders and flame cutters; motor vehicle mechanics and repairers. |
| Metallic dust | 28 | Metal machinists; motor vehicle mechanics; welders and flame cutters. |
| Mild steel dust | 17 | Metal machinists; welders and flame cutters; motor vehicle mechanics. |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons: | ||
| PAHs from any source | 64 | Motor vehicle drivers and salesmen; motor vehicle repairmen; machinists. |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | 22 | Motor vehicle mechanics; machinists; foundry workers. |
| PAHs from coal | 8 | Stationary engineers and boiler room workers; railway trackmen; pipefitters and plumbers. |
| PAHs from petroleum | 62 | Motor vehicle drivers and salesmen; motor vehicle repairmen; machinists. |
| PAHs from sources other than coal, wood, or petroleum | 20 | Welders and flame cutters; roofers; chefs and cooks. |
| Mononuclear aromatic hydrocarbons | 34 | Motor vehicle mechanics; metal machinists; painters. |
| Other: | ||
| Aliphatic aldehydes | 17 | Chefs and cooks; carpenters; textile workers. |
| Formaldehyde | 15 | Carpenters; textile workers. |
| Alkanes (C5–C17) | 36 | Motor vehicle mechanics; painters; carpenters. |
| Alkanes (C18+) | 35 | Motor vehicle mechanics; metal machinists; business and industrial machine mechanics. |
| Cleaning agents | 16 | Janitors; chefs and cooks; restaurant busboys. |
↵3-150 Prevalence among all 4263 subjects interviewed in our study.
PAHs=polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.