OBJECTIVES: Considerable controversy surrounds the carcinogenic potential of asphalt and tar. Since minority individuals may have had relatively high historical exposures, we investigated asphalt and tar exposure and lung cancer risk among African Americans and Latino Americans. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study of lung cancer among African Americans and Latino Americans in the San Francisco Bay area (422 cases, 894 controls). A questionnaire was used to obtain detailed work histories and exposure information. Self-reported exposure to asphalt and tar as well as other factors (e.g., smoking, automobile exhaust, and asbestos) were evaluated as predictors of lung cancer risk. Potential effect modification by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 was also explored. RESULTS: Self-reported duration of exposure to asphalt and tar was associated with a statistically significant excess risk of lung cancer in the overall population (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.01-1.22), evaluating risk per year of exposure. Years of exposure to automobile exhaust (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.05) and asbestos (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.06) were also associated with statistically significant elevations in risk. In Latino Americans, the lung cancer risks associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-related exposures were consistently higher in the CYP1A1 wild-type subjects as compared to the variant genotype subjects, and the interaction was statistically significant for smoking and the CYP1A1 M2 polymorphism (P-value(interaction) = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: These data are consistent with the literature suggesting that exposure to asphalt and tar may increase risk of lung cancer. However, it was not possible to separate the effects and asphalt and tar in this study.
OBJECTIVES: Considerable controversy surrounds the carcinogenic potential of asphalt and tar. Since minority individuals may have had relatively high historical exposures, we investigated asphalt and tar exposure and lung cancer risk among African Americans and Latino Americans. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study of lung cancer among African Americans and Latino Americans in the San Francisco Bay area (422 cases, 894 controls). A questionnaire was used to obtain detailed work histories and exposure information. Self-reported exposure to asphalt and tar as well as other factors (e.g., smoking, automobile exhaust, and asbestos) were evaluated as predictors of lung cancer risk. Potential effect modification by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 was also explored. RESULTS: Self-reported duration of exposure to asphalt and tar was associated with a statistically significant excess risk of lung cancer in the overall population (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.01-1.22), evaluating risk per year of exposure. Years of exposure to automobile exhaust (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.05) and asbestos (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.06) were also associated with statistically significant elevations in risk. In Latino Americans, the lung cancer risks associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-related exposures were consistently higher in the CYP1A1 wild-type subjects as compared to the variant genotype subjects, and the interaction was statistically significant for smoking and the CYP1A1 M2 polymorphism (P-value(interaction) = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: These data are consistent with the literature suggesting that exposure to asphalt and tar may increase risk of lung cancer. However, it was not possible to separate the effects and asphalt and tar in this study.
Authors: Ann Olsson; Hans Kromhout; Michela Agostini; Johnni Hansen; Christina Funch Lassen; Christoffer Johansen; Kristina Kjaerheim; Sverre Langård; Isabelle Stücker; Wolfgang Ahrens; Thomas Behrens; Marja-Liisa Lindbohm; Pirjo Heikkilä; Dick Heederik; Lützen Portengen; Judith Shaham; Gilles Ferro; Frank de Vocht; Igor Burstyn; Paolo Boffetta Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2010-06-09 Impact factor: 9.031
Authors: Paolo Boffetta; Igor Burstyn; Timo Partanen; Hans Kromhout; Ole Svane; Sverre Langård; Bengt Järvholm; Rainer Frentzel-Beyme; Timo Kauppinen; Isabelle Stücker; Judith Shaham; Dick Heederik; Wolfgang Ahrens; Ingvar A Bergdahl; Sylvie Cenée; Gilles Ferro; Pirjo Heikkilä; Mariëtte Hooiveld; Christoffer Johansen; Britt G Randem; Walter Schill Journal: Am J Ind Med Date: 2003-01 Impact factor: 2.214
Authors: Paolo Boffetta; Igor Burstyn; Timo Partanen; Hans Kromhout; Ole Svane; Sverre Langård; Bengt Järvholm; Rainer Frentzel-Beyme; Timo Kauppinen; Isabelle Stücker; Judith Shaham; Dick Heederik; Wolfgang Ahrens; Ingvar A Bergdahl; Sylvie Cenée; Gilles Ferro; Pirjo Heikkilä; Mariëtte Hooiveld; Christoffer Johansen; Britt G Randem; Walter Schill Journal: Am J Ind Med Date: 2003-01 Impact factor: 2.214
Authors: Eric Garshick; Francine Laden; Jaime E Hart; Bernard Rosner; Mary E Davis; Ellen A Eisen; Thomas J Smith Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2008-05-30 Impact factor: 9.031