Hodgkin Lymphoma and Pesticides Exposure in Men: A Canadian Case-Control Study

The objective of this study was to investigate the putative associations of specific pesticides with Hodgkin lymphoma. A population-based, case-control study of Hodgkin lymphoma was conducted among males in six regions of Canada. Data were collected by a mailed questionnaire followed by a telephone interview to obtain detailed exposures data for those reporting ≥ 10 hours per year of pesticide exposure. Conditional logistic regression was used to fit statistical models. Comparisons of 316 Hodgkin lymphoma cases and 1506 controls identified several factors as predictors for increased Hodgkin lymphoma risk: family history of cancer, exposure to the insecticide chlorpyrifos [OR (95% CI) = 1.19 (1.03, 1.37)], and previous diagnosis of acne or shingles. The increased risk of developing Hodgkin lymphoma detected among Canadian men who used chlorpyrifos must be interpreted cautiously; however the strength of its association indicates that it requires investigation in other populations.