A study was conducted assessing the risk of nonHodgkin's lymphoma associated with exposure to lindane (58899), using data from population based studies of nonHodgkin's lymphoma among men in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota. The data were obtained using telephone or personal interviews, were pooled, and odds ratios adjusted for age, state of residence, and type of interview were calculated using logistic regression analysis. A significant increase in the relative risk of nonHodgkin's disease was seen in subjects reporting agricultural use of lindane; the odds ratios were slightly higher in those first using lindane 20 or more years prior to diagnosis. Risk of the disease was not related to the use of protective equipment. Analysis of risk of nonHodgkin's lymphoma from lindane exposure adjusted for use of other pesticides or chemical classes did not result in large changes in the odds ratios. The risk of nonHodgkin's disease was greater from its use on crops than on animals. When analyzed by interview type, odds ratios for nonHodgkin's lymphoma were higher in subjects interviewed by proxy than in index respondents. The authors conclude that the agricultural use of lindane is associated with a 50% increase in the risk of nonHodgkin's lymphoma in this study. Possible reasons for this finding were discussed, including the possibility that the results were an artifact because the relative risk was reduced, but not completely eliminated, by adjusting for exposure to other pesticides.

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