Trichloroethylene

From

Summary

TBD.

Studies and Reports

• Boice J et al., Mortality among Rocketdyne workers who tested rocket engines, 1948-1999, J Occup Environ Med. 48(10):1070-92, October 2006.
  • Results and Conclusion. "MRs for all cancers were close to population expectations among SSFL workers overall (SMR = 0.89; CI = 0.82-0.96) and test stand mechanics in particular (n = 1651; SMR = 1.00; CI = 0.86-1.16), including those likely exposed to hydrazines (n = 315; SMR = 1.09; CI = 0.75-1.52) or trichloroethylene (TCE) (n = 1111; SMR = 1.00; CI = 0.83-1.19). Nonsignificant associations were seen between kidney cancer and TCE, lung cancer and hydrazines, and stomach cancer and years worked as a test stand mechanic. No trends over exposure categories were statistically significant. Work at the SSFL rocket engine test facility or as a test stand mechanic was not associated with a significant increase in cancer mortality overall or for any specific cancer."
• Hansen J et al., Cancer incidence among Danish workers exposed to trichloroethylene, J Occup Environ Med. 43(2):133-9, February 2001.
  • Abstract. "Human evidence regarding the carcinogenicity of the animal carcinogen trichloroethylene (TCE) is limited. We evaluated cancer occurrence among 803 Danish workers exposed to TCE, using historical files of individual air and urinary measurements of TCE-exposure. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for cancer overall was close to unity for both men and women who were exposed to TCE. Men had significantly elevated SIRs for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (SIR = 3.5; n = 8) and cancer of the esophagus (SIR = 4.2; n = 6). Among women, the SIR for cervical cancer was significantly increased (SIR = 3.8; n = 4). No clear dose-response relationship appeared for any of these cancers. We found no increased risk for kidney cancer. In summary, we found no overall increase in cancer risk among TCE-exposed workers in Denmark. For those cancer sites where excesses were noted, the small numbers of observed cases and the lack of dose-related effects hinder etiological conclusions.
• Boice J et al., Mortality among aircraft manufacturing workers, Occup Environ Med. 56(9):581-97, September 1999.
  • Results and Conclusion. "The study cohort comprised 77,965 workers who accrued nearly 1.9 million person-years of follow up (mean 24.2 years). Mortality follow up, estimated as 99% complete, showed that 20,236 workers had died by 31 December 1996, with cause of death obtained for 98%. Workers experienced low overall mortality (all causes of death SMR 0.83) and low cancer mortality (SMR 0.90). No significant increases in risk were found for any of the 40 specific cause of death categories, whereas for several causes the numbers of deaths were significantly below expectation. Analyses by occupational group and specific job titles showed no remarkable mortality patterns. Factory workers estimated to have been routinely exposed to chromate were not at increased risk of total cancer (SMR 0.93) or of lung cancer (SMR 1.02). Workers routinely exposed to TCE, PCE, or a mixture of solvents also were not at increased risk of total cancer (SMRs 0.86, 1.07, and 0.89, respectively), and the numbers of deaths for specific cancer sites were close to expected values. Slight to moderately increased rates of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were found among workers exposed to TCE or PCE, but none was significant. A significant increase in testicular cancer was found among those with exposure to mixed solvents, but the excess was based on only six deaths and could not be linked to any particular solvent or job activity. Internal cohort analyses showed no significant trends of increased risk for any cancer with increasing years of exposure to chromate or solvents... The results from this large scale cohort study of workers followed up for over 3 decades provide no clear evidence that occupational exposures at the aircraft manufacturing factory resulted in increases in the risk of death from cancer or other diseases. Our findings support previous studies of aircraft workers in which cancer risks were generally at or below expected levels."
• McLaughlin J and Blot W., A critical review of epidemiology studies of trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene and risk of renal-cell cancer, Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 70(4):222-31, 1997.
  • Abstract. The epidemiology studies of trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) as they relate to risk of renal-cell cancer are critically reviewed. The studies fall into two basic groups: cohort studies of workers who use TCE or PCE and community-based case-control studies. Issues of bias, confounding, and chance are examined in relation to the studies. There is little evidence of an increased risk of renal-cell cancer and exposure to TCE or PCE. The few studies with elevations in risk suffer from important methodologic shortcomings. Although it is virtually impossible using epidemiology data to rule out conclusively a small increase in risk of renal-cell cancer, the totality of epidemiologic evidence clearly does not support a causal association with TCE or PCE. Future studies of these chemicals must include quantitative evidence of exposure and proper methodologic design, be large-scale in nature to detect small increases in risk, and provide a coherent interpretation of all epidemiology data on these solvents and risk of renal-cell cancer."