RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Occupational exposure to chlorinated solvents and kidney cancer: a case–control study JF Occupational and Environmental Medicine JO Occup Environ Med FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 268 OP 274 DO 10.1136/oemed-2016-103849 VO 74 IS 4 A1 Mark P Purdue A1 Patricia A Stewart A1 Melissa C Friesen A1 Joanne S Colt A1 Sarah J Locke A1 Misty J Hein A1 Martha A Waters A1 Barry I Graubard A1 Faith Davis A1 Julie Ruterbusch A1 Kendra Schwartz A1 Wong-Ho Chow A1 Nathaniel Rothman A1 Jonathan N Hofmann YR 2017 UL http://oem.bmj.com/content/74/4/268.abstract AB Objectives Trichloroethylene, a chlorinated solvent widely used for metal degreasing, is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a kidney carcinogen. Other chlorinated solvents are suspected carcinogens, most notably the cleaning solvent perchloroethylene, although it is unclear whether they are associated with kidney cancer. We investigated kidney cancer associations with occupational exposure to 6 chlorinated solvents (trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and methylene chloride) within a case–control study using detailed exposure assessment methods.Methods Cases (n=1217) and controls (n=1235) provided information on their occupational histories and, for selected occupations, on tasks involving potential exposure to chlorinated solvents through job-specific interview modules. Using this information, an industrial hygienist assessed potential exposure to each solvent. We computed ORs and 95% CIs for different exposure metrics, with unexposed participants as the referent group.Results 1,1,1-trichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and methylene chloride were not associated with kidney cancer. Among jobs with high exposure intensity, high cumulative hours exposed to perchloroethylene was associated with increased risk, both overall (third tertile vs unexposed: OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.3 to 7.4) and after excluding participants with ≥50% exposure probability for trichloroethylene (OR 3.0, 95% CI 0.99 to 9.0). A non-significant association with high cumulative hours exposed to trichloroethylene was observed (OR 1.7, 95% CI 0.8 to 3.8).Conclusions In this study, high exposure to perchloroethylene was associated with kidney cancer, independent of trichloroethylene. Additional studies are needed to further investigate this finding.