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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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01-05-2009 | Original Article

Sensitivity of the association between increased lung cancer risk and bitumen fume exposure to the assumptions in the assessment of exposure

Authors: Frank de Vocht, Igor Burstyn, Gilles Ferro, Ann Olsson, Mia Hashibe, Hans Kromhout, Paolo Boffetta

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 6/2009

Abstract

Purpose

A multi-centre IARC-coordinated European cohort study provided evidence of an association between lung cancer risk and bitumen fume exposure. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess whether these associations were robust to assumptions in the exposure assessment for which support could not be obtained due to lack of either measurements or direct observations.

Methods

New exposure estimates were generated by changing assumptions on exposure levels, specific tasks, lags, and coal tar use. Subsequently, Poisson regression models estimated relative risks (RRs); change in fit of models was evaluated.

Results

The influence of these assumptions was minimal, with log-likelihood deviations between −5.0 and 4.7% and similar patterns in dose-dependent increases of lung cancer risk. In the highest exposure categories, point estimates of RRs ranged 2.07–2.83 for average, and 1.22–2.23 for cumulative exposure.

Conclusions

The small increase in lung cancer risk associated with bitumen fume exposure depends only to a limited extent on the subjective judgments made in the exposure assessment for this cohort.

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Title: Sensitivity of the association between increased lung cancer risk and bitumen fume exposure to the assumptions in the assessment of exposure
Authors: Frank de Vocht
Igor Burstyn
Gilles Ferro
Ann Olsson
Mia Hashibe
Hans Kromhout
Paolo Boffetta
Publication date: 01-05-2009
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 6/2009
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-008-0373-6

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Sensitivity of the association between increased lung cancer risk and bitumen fume exposure to the assumptions in the assessment of exposure

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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