Update on soft tissue sarcoma and phenoxyherbicides in New Zealand

Previous epidemiological studies have raised the possibility that exposure to phenoxyherbicides may cause soft tissue sarcoma. A subsequent study in New Zealand did not detect a significant association for soft tissue sarcoma cases diagnosed between 1976 and 1980. However, the relative risk estimate for exposure of more than 1 day not in the 5 years before cancer registration was 1.6 raising the possibility that a weak association might actually exist. A further study was therefore undertaken on soft tissue sarcoma cases diagnosed more recently up to the end of 1982