Cancer incidence in a cohort of licensed pesticide applicators in Florida

J Occup Environ Med. 1999 Apr;41(4):279-88. doi: 10.1097/00043764-199904000-00010.

Abstract

This study is a standardized incidence ratio (SIR) analysis of cancer incidence of licensed pesticide applicators in Florida, compared with that of Florida's general population. Through extensive data linkages, 33,658 applicators were assembled who had 1266 incident cancers and 279,397 person-years from January 1, 1975, to December 31, 1993. Disease risk from ethanol and tobacco use were significantly decreased. Among males, prostate cancer (SIR = 1.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.72-2.13) and testicular cancer (SIR = 2.48; 95% CI, 1.57-3.72) were significantly elevated. No confirmed cases of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) were found, and the incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was not increased. There were few female applicators; nevertheless, cervical cancer incidence (SIR = 3.69; 95% CI, 1.84-6.61) was significantly increased, while the incidence of breast cancer was significantly decreased. Cancers that have been associated with estrogen disrupters were found in male, but not female, pesticide applicators. The lack of soft tissue sarcoma is at odds with prior literature associated with the use of phenoxy herbicides.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Agricultural Workers' Diseases / chemically induced
  • Agricultural Workers' Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Female
  • Florida / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / chemically induced*
  • Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Pesticides / adverse effects*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / chemically induced
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Testicular Neoplasms / chemically induced
  • Testicular Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / chemically induced
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / epidemiology

Substances

  • Pesticides