International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations
THE FURNITURE AND CABINET-MAKING INDUSTRY
VOL.: 25 (1981) (p. 99)
5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation
5.1 Summary of data
A number of studies are available on the relationship between nasal
cancer, in particular nasal adenocarcinoma, and occupational exposure
in the furniture and cabinet-making industry. An initial clinical
report, pointing out the high frequency of furniture workers among
nasal adenocarcinoma cases from High Wycombe (near Oxford), in
England, has been followed by three epidemiological studies from the
same country. In the first, an approximately twenty-fold increase in
the incidence of nasal cancer has been observed in the southern part
of the Oxford Hospital region, with three-quarters of the cases being
represented by adenocarcinomas. In the second study, based on complete
ascertainment of all cases of nasal cancer that occurred in a defined
area around Oxford during a decade, a ten-fold excess risk of nasal
cancer was observed for furniture workers, with 90% of the cases being
adenocarcinomas (against about 10% among other occupations). The third
study comprises all cases of nasal cancer registered in the whole of
England and Wales (excluding the Oxford region) during a defined
period, and shows an increased incidence of nasal adenocarcinoma
(relative risk, about 100) among furniture workers. A smaller but
still significant increase in relative risk was also found for nasal
cancers other than adenocarcinomas.
Studies in other countries also show excesses of nasal cancers in
furniture workers.
Less information is available with respect to other cancer risks. A
death certificate survey in England and Wales showed a 30% increased
incidence of lung cancer among cabinet-makers; this survey showed a
decrease of a similar size for patternmakers. A SMR of 84 was seen in
US mortality statistics for furniture-fixture occupations. A
case-control study (involving interviews with next-of-kin of dead
people) from Sweden reported a six-fold increased risk of lung cancer
for furniture makers (based on four cases with the relevant exposure).
The same study found a small, non-significantly increased risk for
gastrointestinal cancers.
Of three studies (two from the US, one from England), which have
examined the association between Hodgkin's disease and occupation in
the furniture industry, none has shown an association.
There is evidence of a link between the occurrence of nasal cancers in
furniture workers and the introduction of mechanized operations that
produce high levels of wood dust. The English epidemiological study
strongly suggests a linkage of these cancers with exposure to hardwood
dusts. Nevertheless, case reports from France also relate to exposures
that began in the 1950s when softwoods and exotic hardwoods came into
use. One report suggests a linkage with exposure to plywood dust for
some cases.
The description of the industrial process indicates the use of
chemicals for which there is evidence of carcinogenicity in humans
and/or experimental animals (see Appendix 4, in this volume). Some of these chemicals
are no longer used, but others still are.
5.2 Evaluation
There is sufficient evidence that nasal adenocarcinomas have been
caused by employment in the furniture-making industry. The excess risk
occurs mainly among those exposed to wood dust. Although
adenocarcinomas predominate, an increased risk of other nasal cancers
among furniture workers is also suggested. One study showed an
increased relative risk for lung cancer (based on four cases from one
factory); however, mortality statistics have in general shown no
increase in lung cancer. No evaluation of the risk of lung cancer is
possible.
For definition of the italicized terms, see Preamble Evaluation.
Subsequent evaluation: Suppl. 7 (1987)
Last updated: 8 April 1998