Renal cell cancer risk and occupational exposure to trichloroethylene: Results of a consecutive case-control study in Arnsberg, Germany

Background German studies of high exposure prevalence have been debated on the renal carcinogenicity of trichloroethylene (TRI). Methods A consecutive hospital‐based case‐control study with 134 renal cell cancer (RCC) cases and 401 controls was conducted to reevaluate the risk of TRI in this region which were estimated in a previous study. Exposure was self‐assessed to compare these studies. Additionally, the job history was analyzed, using expert‐based exposure information. Results The logistic regression results, adjusted for age, gender, and smoking, confirmed a TRI‐related RCC risk in this region. Using the database CAREX for a comparison of industries with and without TRI exposure, a significant excess risk was estimated for the longest held job in TRI‐exposing industries (odds ratio (OR) 1.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–3.20). Any exposure in “metal degreasing” was a RCC risk factor (OR 5.57, 95% CI 2.33–13.32). Self‐reported narcotic symptoms, indicative of peak exposures, were associated with an excess risk (OR 3.71, 95% CI 1.80–7.54). Conclusions The study supports the human nephrocarcinogenicity of trichloroethylene. Am. J. Ind. Med. 43:274–285, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.