[Retrospective cohort study of the cancer incidence in pesticide-exposed male pest control workers].

A cohort of 1,214 pest control workers employed during 1945-1980 for at least 5 yr was investigated with regard to cancer mortality. Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) was significantly elevated for all malignant neoplasms (SMR = 133; 65 observed vs. 48.5 expected). Significantly elevated SMRs were also found for the following tumor sites: esophagus, SMR = 430 (4 observed vs. 0.9 expected); stomach, SMR = 180 (14 observed vs. 7.8 expected) and melanoma, SMR = 588 (2 observed vs. 0.3 expected). Mortality from stomach cancer showed a rising trend by number of years licensed (less than 10 years, SMR = 118; 10-19 years, SMR = 160; greater than 19 years, SMR = 260). The findings help clarify the role of occupational pesticide exposure as a risk factor for cancer.