A meta-analysis of occupational trichloroethylene exposure and liver cancer

Abstract

Although positive associations were observed for some analyses, results were inconsistent across occupational groups (aerospace/aircraft vs. other industries combined), study location, and incidence versus mortality endpoints. In addition, exposure-response trends were not observed consistently across studies. Interpretation is also limited by the potential impact of uncontrolled confounding by other occupational or lifestyle exposures such as smoking or alcohol consumption. Given these limitations, the currently available epidemiologic data are not sufficient to support a causal relation between occupational TCE exposure and liver/biliary cancer.

Risk of liver cancer and exposure to organic solvents and gasoline vapors among Finnish workers

“…[2][3][4] There are, however, inconsistencies of study findings across occupational groups, study locations and incidence vs. mortality data. 5 As the reviews indicate, methodological limitations related to exposure assessment, sample size and specificity of diagnosis complicate drawing conclusions on causal association between trichloroethylene exposure and liver cancer. [2][3][4][5] Our finding on chlorinated hydrocarbons also accords with the findings of some earlier studies on an excess risk of liver cancer among workers potentially exposed to tetrachloroethylene [7][8][9] and methylene chloride.…”

“…5 As the reviews indicate, methodological limitations related to exposure assessment, sample size and specificity of diagnosis complicate drawing conclusions on causal association between trichloroethylene exposure and liver cancer. [2][3][4][5] Our finding on chlorinated hydrocarbons also accords with the findings of some earlier studies on an excess risk of liver cancer among workers potentially exposed to tetrachloroethylene [7][8][9] and methylene chloride. 33 Epidemiologic literature on these agents is, however, inconsistent and has also been criticized for methodological shortcomings.…”

“…A moderately increased risk has been observed in several mortality and incidence studies among workers exposed to trichloroethylene, but inconsistencies in findings across the study populations and some methodological limitations complicate the interpretation of the findings. [2][3][4][5][6] Excesses of liver cancer have also been reported among workers potentially exposed to tetrachloroethylene, [7][8][9] but in general, the epidemiologic literature on this association is not consistent. [10][11][12][13][14] Carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and 1,2-dichloroethane have been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and liver tumors have been detected in some animal experiments.…”

Hepatocellular carcinoma and the risk of occupational exposure

“…TCE (CAS 06/01/79) has been associated with a high prevalence of liver tumors in exposed workers. Although the hepatic metabolism of this solvent is known, the molecular alterations that cause liver cancer are not completely known [123][124][125][126][127] .…”

8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine as a Useful Marker for Determining the Severity of Trichloroethylene Exposure

“…Other occupations where TCE exposure may occur include painting, where products may have been cleaned with TCE or TCE was used as a solvent in the paint; the electronics industry, where TCE may have been used as a degreaser; the chemical industry, where TCE may have been used in the production of various products; the printing industry, where TCE may have been used to clean machinery and as a solvent in dyes; dry cleaning, where TCE may have been used in dry-cleaning fluid and spot removers (prior to the mid-1960s); and shoe manufacturing, where TCE may have been used as a solvent in glues. 20 As in most occupational studies, few, if any, of the exposures to workers in these occupations are limited to one chemical alone.…”