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. 2001 Apr;91(4):564–567. doi: 10.2105/ajph.91.4.564

Household solvent exposures and childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

D M Freedman 1, P Stewart 1, R A Kleinerman 1, S Wacholder 1, E E Hatch 1, R E Tarone 1, L L Robison 1, M S Linet 1
PMCID: PMC1446651  PMID: 11291366

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study explored the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) associated with participation by household members in hobbies or other home projects involving organic solvents. METHODS: Participants in this case-control study were 640 subjects with ALL and 640 matched controls. RESULTS: Childhood ALL was associated with frequent (> 4 times/month) exposure to model building (odds ratio [OR] = 1.9; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.7, 5.8) and artwork using solvents (OR = 4.1; 95% CI = 1.1, 15.1). We also found elevated risk (OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.1, 2.7) among children whose mothers lived in homes painted extensively (> 4 rooms) in the year before the children's birth. CONCLUSIONS: In this exploratory study, substantial participation by household members in some common household activities that involve organic solvents was associated with elevated risks of childhood ALL.

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Selected References

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