Nonsolar occupational risk factors for cutaneous melanoma

Mortality among 24,865 workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in three electrical capacitor manufacturing plants: A ten-year update

“…Several recent papers support an association of melanoma and PCB exposure: Behrens and colleagues observed an increased risk of uveal melanoma among men with occupational exposure to transformer or capacitor oils (odds ratio 2.74, 95% CI 1.07-7.02) (Behrens et al, 2010); Gallagher et al saw a doseresponse effect for melanoma risk and plasma levels of PCBs (p for trend <0.001), comparing melanoma patients and controls (Gallagher et al, 2011); and Loomis and colleagues reported increased melanoma risk among electrical utility workers exposed to PCBs (Loomis et al, 1997). A review (which included the original study of the Indiana cohort (Sinks et al, 1992)) of non-solar occupational risk factors for melanoma found increased risks for workers in the electric and electronic industry (Fortes and de Vries, 2008). In 2013 an International Agency for Research on Cancer Working Group concluded that there was sufficient evidence for human carcinogenity of PCBs, based on the analyses of melanoma and PCB exposure (Lauby-Secretan et al, 2013).…”

“…In 2013 an International Agency for Research on Cancer Working Group concluded that there was sufficient evidence for human carcinogenity of PCBs, based on the analyses of melanoma and PCB exposure (Lauby-Secretan et al, 2013). The deficit of melanoma in the Massachusetts subcohort might be related to its ethnic composition; an estimated 30% are of Portuguese or Cape Verdean ethnicity with darker skin pigmentation, which is a protective factor for melanoma (Fortes and de Vries, 2008).…”

Melanoma Epidemiology and Prevention

“…A more detailed review of findings from occupational and environmental studies of melanoma is found in Fortes and de Vries [70].…”

Melanoma Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Clinical Phenotypes

“…Occupational exposures to chemicals such as vinyl chloride, polychlorinated biphenyls, and petrochemicals have been linked to a possible increased risk of melanoma, though the contribution of these exposures to overall melanoma risk has not been consistently demonstrated in clinical studies (Markovic et al, 2007). Fortes and deVries have reviewed the literature for occupation-specific exposures with cutaneous melanoma and summarized the evidence implicating polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, and polychlorinated biphenyls; trichloroethylene solvents, dioxin, and polyvinyl chloride; pesticides; and ionizing and non-ionizing radiation (Fortes and de Vries, 2008). Agricultural pesticides including mancozeb, parathion, and carbaryl were shown to associate significantly with cutaneous melanoma after adjustment for confounding factors (Dennis et al, 2010).…”

“…Among males in a California cancer database that listed fire fighter as their occupation, there was an increased risk of melanoma, in addition to increased risks of testicular cancer, brain, esophageal, and prostate cancers, compared to other types of cancer (Bates, 2007). Occupation-specific non-solar exposures impart increased melanoma risks for workers in the petroleum, printing, electronics, automobile, and agricultural industries (Fortes and de Vries, 2008), and specific occupational chemical exposures are reviewed below. Those who are employed outdoors may have altered melanoma risk based upon ultraviolet exposure, an independent risk factor for melanoma.…”