Occupation and industry in persons dying of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a case-control study

The association between occupation and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) was examined in a case-control study using a cancer registry to identify cases and controls, and death certificates to determine occupation and industry of cancer victims. Cases were white males who died on NHL between 1967 and 1982; controls were white male who died of colon cancer during the same period. Controls were frequency-matched to cases for age and year of diagnosis. Death certificates with codable occupational information were found for 90% of the 249 cases and 293 controls. Analysis was performed using a method of grouping occupations on the basis of similar exposures. The data were also analyzed for specific industries, specific occupations, and industry categories. The results indicate and increased risk in persons exposed to both aromatic amino compounds and other aromatic hydrocarbons. In addition, increased risk for lymphocytic lymphoma was found in farmers, and was highest for those diagnosed in the years 1952-1968 and ages of 45-64.