Purpose: To explore thyroid cancer (TC) risk in the Swedish population, associated with occupational exposure to certain chemicals.
Methods: National cancer and death registries were used to follow-up (1971-1989) all Swedish workers employed in the 1970 census. Each combination of occupation and industry was linked to a Swedish job-exposure matrix (JEM), with exposure to 13 chemicals classified as "possible exposure", "probable exposure" or "unexposed". Relative risks were obtained using Poisson models adjusted for age, period and geographical area. A second analysis was performed, in which adjustment was additionally made for simultaneous exposure to other matrix chemicals and ionising radiations.
Results: Probable exposure to solvents among women displayed an increased risk (RR = 1.91; 95%CI:1.05-3.45), mainly due to a higher risk observed among shoe-cutters, lasters and sewers engaged in shoe-making.
Conclusions: Exposure to solvents, used mainly in the shoe and leather industry, seems to be associated with excess TC among women.