Increased Risk of Renal Cell Carcinoma Following Exposure to Metalworking Fluids Among autoworkers
Section snippets
Purpose
Metalworking fluids (MWFs) that are used to cool and lubricate metal in occupational settings have been linked to several cancer sites among workers. However, there is limited epidemiological evidence for kidney cancer specifically. In this analysis, we examine how MWF exposure influenced rate of kidney cancer.
Methods
Autoworkers employed ≥3 years in three automotive plants in Michigan were followed from 1985-2009. Incidence of kidney cancer in the cohort overall was determined and cancer registry data was used to identify histologically confirmed cases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) specifically. We examined exposure to three types of MWFs, straight (mineral-based), soluble (mineral and waterbased) and synthetic (water-based). Cox Proportional Hazards Regression was used to estimate Hazard Ratios (HRs) and
Results
There were 103 cases of kidney cancer overall and 59 histologically confirmed cases of RCC. We observed an increased risk of kidney cancer with straight MWF among those in the highest category of exposure HR=1.98 (95% CI: 1.12-3.52). For RCC only, the HR increased to 3.29 (95% CI: 1.53-7.06). There was a weaker elevated association with soluble fluids no associations with synthetic fluids.
Conclusions
Our results indicate that RCC should be considered to be among the cancers impacted by exposure to straight MWFs.