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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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01-01-2020 | Lung Cancer | Review

Cancer in glass workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: Martin Lehnert, Thomas Behrens, Justus Tulowietzki, Karlheinz Guldner, Thomas Brüning, Dirk Taeger

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Purpose

Due to a potential exposure to several definite or probable carcinogens, the IARC classified manufacturing of art glass, glass containers, and pressed ware as probably carcinogenic to humans in 1993 (Group 2A). Purpose of this study was to update the evidence from recently published scientific reports.

Methods

We searched for peer-reviewed articles published between 1993 and 2018 and combined result in terms of a meta-analysis. Overall, we considered twelve articles for a meta-analytic approach published after 1992.

Results

From a meta-analysis we derived a standardized incidence ratio (mSIR) and a standardized mortality ratio (mSMR) for lung cancer in men of 1.25 (95% CI 0.97–1.59) and 1.41 (95% CI 1.11–1.77), respectively. The estimated odds ratio (mOR) from five case–control studies was 1.25 (95% CI 0.90–1.73). Associated with an employment in glass factories, the estimated mSMR for larynx cancer was 2.38 (95% CI 1.23–4.16) based on two cohort studies; the mOR from four case–control studies was 1.35 (95% CI 0.73–2.52). Reports on elevated cancer risks at other sites were not consistent.

Conclusions

Only few studies assessed cancer risk solely in glass workers. Gained evidence from more recent reports supports the IARC rating from 1993. Our combined results add limited evidence to a moderately elevated risk for cancer of the airways.

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Title: Cancer in glass workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Martin Lehnert
Thomas Behrens
Justus Tulowietzki
Karlheinz Guldner
Thomas Brüning
Dirk Taeger
Publication date: 01-01-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Lung Cancer
Lung Cancer
Lung Cancer
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 1/2020
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-019-01460-1

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Cancer in glass workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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