A case/control study of occupational risk factors for central nervous system (CNS) malignancies by examining the death certificates of United States (US) workers was conducted. The cases consisted of 28,416 workers who died from brain cancer between 1984 and 1992 identified from a national death certificate database. The database, which was maintained by the National Cancer Institute, NIOSH, and the National Center for Health Statistics, collected and coded death certificates from 24 states. Controls were 113,664 deaths from other causes identified from the database. Associations between CNS cancer risk and employment in 354 industries and 377 occupations as coded in the 1980 US census were evaluated by case/control techniques. Associations between CNS malignancies and electromagnetic fields (EMF), solvents, herbicides, other pesticides, contact with the public, contact with animals, and lead (7439921) were assessed from job exposure matrices (JEMs) for each industry and occupation. Significant increases in CNS cancer risk were seen for employment in 50 specific industries. When analyzed across gender and race, these increases were seen for employment in textile mills, paper mills, printing and publishing, petroleum refining, motor vehicle manufacturing, telephone and electrical utilities, health care services, and care services, and elementary and secondary schools and colleges and universities. Employment in agricultural industries was associated with an increased CNS cancer risk for white men and women. Significant CNS cancer risks were seen in 51 occupations. Consistent increases were seen for employment as administrators in education and related fields, secondary school teachers, and other education and health related occupations. The JEMS showed slight increases in CNS cancer risk associated with exposure to solvents. Exposure to EMF was not associated with a significant increase in CNS cancer risk, but associations with employment in a few electrical occupations such as electrical power installers and repairers were seen. The authors conclude that several occupations are associated with an increase in CNS cancer risk.

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