Wood dust exposure and the association with lung cancer risk

Background Wood dust was designated as a human carcinogen based on increased sinus and nasal cancer rates among exposed workers. However, data on an association with lung cancer have been inconclusive. Methods Self‐reported wood dust exposure was compared between 1,368 lung cancer patients and 1,192 cancer‐free adults, in a lung cancer case‐control study. Epidemiological information was collected through a detailed personal interview. Results Using several definitions of wood dust exposure we consistently observed statistically significant elevated adjusted risk estimates; for example, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for combined wood dust related occupations and industries was 3.15 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.45–6.86) and for an overall summary exposure measure it was 1.60 (95% CI 1.19–2.14). The association was maintained when stratified by histopathological type. Among those exposed to cigarette smoke and wood dust, 21% of the cases were attributable to biologic interaction. Conclusions Wood dust exposure is a potential risk factor for lung cancer. Am. J. Ind. Med. 47:349–357, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.