Renal cell cancer risk and occupational exposure to trichloroethylene:: Results of a consecutive case-control study in Arnsberg, Germany

Background German studies of high exposure prevalence have been debated on the renal carcinogenicity of trichloroethylene (TRI). Methods A consecutive hospital-based case-control study with 134 renal cell cancer (RCC) cases and 401 controls was conducted to reevaluate the risk of TRI in this region which were estimated in a previous study. Exposure was self-assessed to compare these studies. Additionally, the job history was analyzed, using expert-based exposure information. Results The logistic regression results, adjusted for age, gender and smoking, confirmed a TRI-related RCC risk in this region. Using the database CAREX for a comparison of industries with and without TRI exposure, a significant excess risk was estimated for the longest held job in TRI-exposing industries (odds ratio (OR) 1.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-3.20). Any exposure in metal degreasing was a RCC risk factor (OR 5.57, 95% CI 2.33-13.32). Self-reported narcotic symptoms, indicative of peak exposures, were associated with an excess risk (OR 3.71, 95% CI 1.80-7.54). Conclusions The study supports the human nephrocarcinogenicity of trichloroethylene. (C) 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.