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01-11-2011 | Original paper

Parental occupational exposure to exhausts, solvents, glues and paints, and risk of childhood leukemia

Authors: Alison Reid, Deborah C. Glass, Helen D. Bailey, Elizabeth Milne, Bruce K. Armstrong, Frank Alvaro, Lin Fritschi

Published in: Cancer Causes & Control | Issue 11/2011

Abstract

Purpose

It is unknown whether parental occupational exposure to chemicals before during and after pregnancy increases the risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the offspring. Few studies on this topic have assessed maternal exposures.

Methods

In an Australian case–control study of ALL in children aged <15 years, parents were asked about tasks they undertook in each job using a set of job-specific modules (JSMs). An expert reviewed the likelihood of exposure to exhausts, solvents, glues, and paints. Exposure was examined in each job 2 years, 1 year and anytime before birth of the child, and up to 1 year after birth of child.

Results

Solvent exposure was similar for case and control mothers in all time periods. More case mothers had moderate/high exposure to exhausts than control mothers anytime before the birth of the child (p = 0.010). Exposure to moderate or substantial levels of exhausts by mothers (OR = 1.97 95% CI 0.99–3.90) or fathers (OR = 1.37 95% CI 1.01–1.86) before the birth increased the risk of ALL in their offspring. Exposure to paints, pigments, glues, and resins was similar in case and control parents.

Conclusion

We found little evidence that parental occupational exposure to solvents, glues, and paints was associated with childhood ALL. There was some evidence ALL was associated with exhaust exposure.

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Title: Parental occupational exposure to exhausts, solvents, glues and paints, and risk of childhood leukemia
Authors: Alison Reid
Deborah C. Glass
Helen D. Bailey
Elizabeth Milne
Bruce K. Armstrong
Frank Alvaro
Lin Fritschi
Publication date: 01-11-2011
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Published in: Cancer Causes & Control / Issue 11/2011
Print ISSN: 0957-5243
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7225
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-011-9834-4

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Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

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