Lung cancer in heavy equipment operators and truck drivers with diesel exhaust exposure in the construction industry

Abstract

Background: Several studies indicate that truck drivers have an increased risk of lung cancer, but few studies have examined lung cancer risk in heavy equipment operators. Workers in both occupations are exposed to diesel exhaust. Aims: To examine the incidence and mortality from lung cancer among truck drivers and among drivers of heavy vehicles. Methods: A computerised register of Swedish construction workers participating in health examinations between 1971 and 1992 was used. Male truck drivers (n = 6364) and drivers of heavy construction vehicles (n = 14 364) were selected as index groups; carpenters/electricians constituted the reference group (n = 119 984). Results: Operators of heavy construction equipment experienced no increased risk of lung cancer compared to risk among the carpenter/electrician referents (61 cases v 70.1 expected). However, a significant inverse trend risk with increasing use of cabins was apparent. Truck drivers had increased risks of cancer of the lung (61 cases v 47.3 expected) and prostate (124 cases v 99.7 expected), although only mortality for lung cancer was significantly increased. Comparisons with the general population showed similar results. Conclusion: Results are consistent with those of previous studies suggesting that heavy equipment operators with potential exposure to diesel exhaust may have little or no increased risk of lung cancer, although the use of cabins seemed to decrease the risk of lung cancer. The results for truck drivers are also consistent with previous reports of increased lung cancer risk among truck drivers exposed to diesel exhaust, as well as recent reports linking diesel exhaust exposure to prostate cancer.

A critical review of the relationship between occupational exposure to diesel emissions and lung cancer risk

“…A total of 6364 male truck drivers and 14,364 drivers of heavy construction vehicles were investigated as DE-exposed groups. Altogether, 119,984 carpenters and electricians formed the reference group (J€ arvholm & Silverman 2003). Each worker was followed from his first health examination between 1971 and early 1993 to 31 December 1995.…”

Prostate cancer and driving occupations: could whole body vibration play a role?

“…The meta-analysis included studies from Canada (Aronson et al 1996;Band et al 1999) the USA (Brown and Delzell 2000;Krstev et al 1998a) and Europe (Zeegers et al 2004;Sharma-Wagner et al 2000;Jarvholm and Silverman 2003). Five studies reported data on incidence of prostate cancer (Aronson et al 1996;Band et al 1999;Krstev et al 1998a;Zeegers et al 2004;Sharma-Wagner et al 2000) and three on mortality (Brown and Delzell 2000;Krstev et al 1998b;Jarvholm and Silverman 2003).…”

“…Five studies reported data on incidence of prostate cancer (Aronson et al 1996;Band et al 1999;Krstev et al 1998a;Zeegers et al 2004;Sharma-Wagner et al 2000) and three on mortality (Brown and Delzell 2000;Krstev et al 1998b;Jarvholm and Silverman 2003). The cohort studies used population referent groups, while the case-control studies used population and/or other cancer controls.…”

Relationships between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer: biological insights

“…Nonetheless, exposure to these agents has been well controlled in developed countries in the last decades (1). Additionally, in epidemiologic studies, exposure to diesel exhaust was also demonstrated to induce LC in truck drivers (58,59), railroad workers (60), and operators of heavy construction equipment (61). More recently, exposure to new technologies included in the environment and workplace such as sandblasting jean workers and hydraulic fracturing (fracking) have introduced new hazards that may lead to the development of occupational diseases including LC (62).…”