Occupation and leukemia in Nordic countries.

Abstract

We studied occupational variation of the risk of acute myeloid leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and other leukemia in Nordic countries. The study cohort comprised 15 million persons older than 30 years who participated in the population censuses in 1960, 1970, 1980/1981, 1990, or all of these years in five Nordic countries. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were estimated for 53 occupations and one group of economically inactive persons. Significantly increased risks were observed for acute myeloid leukemia among drivers (SIR = 1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-1.26) and food workers (SIR = 1.13; 95% CI, 1.01-1.27); for chronic lymphocytic leukemia among farmers (SIR = 1.09; 95% CI, 1.04-1.14) and clerical workers (SIR = 1.07; 95% CI, 1.01-1.14); and for other leukemia among seamen (SIR = 1.24; 95% CI, 1.04-1.49), "other health workers" (SIR = 1.22; 95% CI, 1.02-1.47), chemical process workers (SIR = 1.18; 95% CI, 1.01-1.38), and sales agents (SIR = 1.15; 95% CI, 1.06-1.25). Observed modest occupational variation of leukemia risk might be associated with occupational or lifestyle factors.