Lung cancer and vehicle exhaust in trucking industry workers

Garshick, E; Laden, F; Hart, JE; Rosner, B; Davis, ME; Eisen, EA; Smith, TJ

HERO ID

2082099

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2008

Language

English

PMID

18941573

HERO ID 2082099
In Press No
Year 2008
Title Lung cancer and vehicle exhaust in trucking industry workers
Authors Garshick, E; Laden, F; Hart, JE; Rosner, B; Davis, ME; Eisen, EA; Smith, TJ
Journal Environmental Health Perspectives
Volume 116
Issue 10
Page Numbers 1327-1332
Abstract BACKGROUND: An elevated risk of lung cancer in truck drivers has been attributed to diesel exhaust exposure. Interpretation of these studies specifically implicating diesel exhaust as a carcinogen has been limited because of limited exposure measurements and lack of work records relating job title to exposure-related job duties. <br> <br>OBJECTIVES We established a large retrospective cohort of trucking company workers to assess the association of lung cancer mortality and measures of vehicle exhaust exposure. <br> <br>METHODS: Work records were obtained for 31,135 male workers employed in the unionized U.S. trucking industry in 1985. We assessed lung cancer mortality through 2000 using the National Death Index, and we used an industrial hygiene review and current exposure measurements to identify jobs associated with current and historical use of diesel-, gas-, and propane-powered vehicles. We indirectly adjusted for cigarette smoking based on an industry survey. <br> <br>RESULTS: Adjusting for age and a healthy-worker survivor effect, lung cancer hazard ratios were elevated in workers with jobs associated with regular exposure to vehicle exhaust. Mortality risk increased linearly with years of employment and was similar across job categories despite different current and historical patterns of exhaust-related particulate matter from diesel trucks, city and highway traffic, and loading dock operations. Smoking behavior did not explain variations in lung cancer risk. <br> <br>CONCLUSIONS: Trucking industry workers who have had regular exposure to vehicle exhaust from diesel and other types of vehicles on highways, city streets, and loading docks have an elevated risk of lung cancer with increasing years of work.
Doi 10.1289/chp.11293
Pmid 18941573
Wosid WOS:000259730100024
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword diesel exhaust; lung cancer; occupational exposure; particulate matter; traffic