Critical review of cancer epidemiology in petroleum industry employees, with a quantitative meta‐analysis by cancer site

Abstract

A critical review of close to 100 published and unpublished but otherwise available epidemiologic reports of petroleum industry employees from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Japan was conducted. Analyses by duration of employment and latency are discussed, and summary standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) or meta-SMRs are developed for selected cancer sites. Findings indicate that the industry experienced a significantly lower cancer mortality than the general population for all cancer sites combined, digestive system, stomach, and lung. For the industry as a whole, SMRs similar to the general population were observed for skin, brain, pancreatic, prostatic, and kidney cancers. However, some data indicate that certain small groups within the industry might have elevated prostatic and kidney cancer risk. This review supports the conclusion that some refinery employees, particularly those employed before the 1940s, may have been at increased risk of leukemia. There is some indication that cancer of other lymphatic tissue may also be elevated. Unresolved issues affecting these conclusions are discussed, and specific directions for future research are offered.

Renal cell cancer and exposure to gasoline: a review.

“…As the latter are considered to have a greater potential for exposure to gasoline, remarks will be confined to results for these workers. Contrary to an earlier report on this cohort (34), there were no significantly elevated SMRs for kidney cancer among tanker truck drivers. The SMR for kidney cancer was 121 (95% CI: 91-158; 53 deaths) among distribution workers and 141 (95% CI: 91-208; 25 deaths) among tanker truck drivers.…”

Mesothelioma and lung tumors attributable to asbestos among petroleum workers

“…By contrast, evidence on lung cancer mortality in oil re®neries is still contradictory: a meta-analysis conducted by Wong and Raabe [1989] reported a signi®cant reduction in mortality from this cause (Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) 0.77), without, however, providing any analysis by job title. On the other hand, other studies [Gottlieb, 1980;Gennaro et al, 1995;Finkelstein, 1996Finkelstein, , 1999Raabe et al, 1998], as well as projections [Nicholson et al, 1982], showed an increase in lung cancer mortality among re®nery maintenance workers.…”

Review of the carcinogenic potential of gasoline.

“…Figure 2 summarizes the standardized mor-tality riatios (SMR) for liver cancer found in these studies. The meta-SMR reported in this and subsequent figures was calculatedl by Wong and Raabe as an overall estimate of the industry experience (8). Looking at these stuclies individually or overall as summarized by the meta-SMR clear ly inclicates there is no evidence for an increased risk for liver cancer.…”

“…As Figure 1 illustrates, (8,9). Table 6 lists the major cohort studies reviewed by Wong and Raabe (8).…”

“…As Figure 1 illustrates, (8,9). Table 6 lists the major cohort studies reviewed by Wong and Raabe (8). The majority of these studies are of refinery wvorkers who, although exposed to gasolinelike hydr ocarbons, are generally not exposed to gasoline.…”