Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Pesticides and cancer risks in agriculture

  • Chemical Cancer Risks
  • Published:
Medical Oncology and Tumor Pharmacotherapy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The work environment in agriculture is complex, with many potentially hazardous exposures, but the overall mortality from cancer and other causes is rather low among farmers. However, several studies have consistently indicated an excess of certain cancer forms. Lymphomas, leukemias, multiple myeloma and also malignancies of connective tissue attract especial interest, as being possibly associated with the use of pesticides. Phenoxy acid herbicides may play an etiological role, especially for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, whereas the finding are more ambiguous for Hodgkin's disease and soft-tissue sarcoma, perhaps indicating an interaction wity co-factors. The issue has been controversial for many years, however, and one of its aspects involves the use of phenoxy acids in the Vietnam war. Furthermore, DDT has been associated with lung cancer in mixed exposure situations, and with chronic lymphatic leukemia. Arsenical pesticides may have caused skin cancer in vine-growers. Further studies, especially of specific user groups and producers, may avoid the complex exposure situation in agriculture.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Guralnick L: Mortality by occupation and cause of death. Vital Statistics Special Report 53(3). Washington DC, Department of Health, Education and Welfare (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Registrar General: The Registrar General's decennial supplement, England and Wales: Occupational mortality tables. London, HMSO (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Fox A J, Goldblatt P O: Longitudinal study of sociodemographic mortality differentials, 1971–1975. London, HMSO (1980).

    Google Scholar 

  4. McMichael A J, Hartshorne J M: Mortality risks in Australian men by occupational groups, 1968–1978.Med J Aust 1, 253 (1982).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Burmeister L F, Morgan D P: Mortality in Iowa farmers and farm laborers, 1971–1978.J occup Med 24, 898 (1982).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Wiklund K: Swedish agricultural workers: a group with a decreased risk of cancer.Cancer 51, 566 (1983).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Gallagher R P, Threlfall W J, Jeffriers E: Cancer and aplastic anemia in British Columbia farmers.J natn Cancer Inst 72, 1311 (1984).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. International Agency for Research on Cancer: Monographs on the evaluation of the carcinogenic risk of chemicals to humans, Supplement 7. Lyon, IARC (in press).

  9. International Agency for Research on Cancer:Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Humans, Vol. 41, Lyon, IARC (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Kolmodin-Hedman B, Erne K: Estimation of occupational exposure to phenoxy acids (2,4-D and 2,4,5-T).Archs Toxic, Suppl.4, 318 (1980).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Kolmodin-Hedman B, Höglund S., Åkerblom M: Studies on phenoxy acid herbicides. I. Field study. Occupational exposure to phenoxy acid herbicides (MCPA, dichlorprop, mecoprop and 2,4-D) in agriculture.Archs Toxic 54, 257 (1983).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Axelson O, Sundell L: Herbicide exposure, mortality and tumor incidence: an epidemiological investigation on Swedish railroad workers.Work envir Hlth 11, 21 (1974).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Axelson O, Sundell L, Andersson K, Edling C, Hogstedt C, Kling H: Herbicide exposure and tumor, mortality. An updated epidemiologic investigation on Swedish railroad workers.Scand J Work envir Hlth 6, 73 (1980).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Barthel E: Gehäuftes Vorkommen von Bronchialkrebs bei beruflicher Pestizidexpostition in der Lantwirtschaft.Z Erkrank Atmungsorg 146, 266 (1976).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Barthel E: Increased risk of lung cancer in pesticideexposed male agricultural workers.J. Toxic Envir Hlth 8, 1027 (1981).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Hardell L: Malignant mesenchymal tumours and exposure to phenoxy acids. A clinical observation (in Swedish)Läkartidningen 74, 2753 (1977).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Hardell L: Sandström A: Case-control study: soft-tissue sarcomas and exposure to phenoxyacetic acids or chlorophenols.Br J Cancer 39, 711 (1979).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Eriksson M, Hardell L, Berg N O, Möller T, Axelson O: Soft tissue sarcomas and exposure to chemical subtances: a case-referent study.Br J ind Med 38, 27 (1981).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Hardell L, Eriksson M, Lenner P, Ludgren E: Malignant lymphoma and exposure to chemicals, especially organic solvents, chlorophenols and phenoxy acids: a case-control study.Br J Cancer 43, 169 (1981).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Blair A, Malker H, Cantor K P, Burmeister L, Wiklund K: Cancer among farmers. A review.Scand J Work envir Hlth 11, 397 (1985).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Schumacher M C: Farming occupations and mortality from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in Utah. A case-control study.J occup Med 27, 580 (1985).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Pearce N E, Sheppard R A, Howard J K, Fraser J, Lilley B M: Leukemia among New Zealand agricultural workers. A cancer registry-based study.Am J Epidemiol 124, 402 (1986).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Saftlas A F, Blair A, Cantor K P, Hanrahan L, Anderson H A: Cancer and other causes of death among Wisconsin farmers.Am J ind Med 11, 119 (1987).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Mills P K, Newell G R, Johnson D E: Testicular cancer associated with employment in agriculture and oil and natural gas extraction.Lancet 1, 207 (1984).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. McDowell M, Balarajan R: Testicular cancer and employment in agriculture.Lancet 1, 510 (1984).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Sewell C M, Castle S P, Hull H F: Testicular cancer and employment in agriculture and oil and natural gas extraction.Lancet 1, 553 (1986).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Wiklund K, Dich J, Holm L-E: Testicular cancer among agricultural workers and licensed pesticide applicators in Sweden.Scand J Work envir Hlth 12, 630 (1986).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Garabrant D H, Peters J M, Mack T M, Bernstein L: Job activity and colon cancer risks.Am J Epidemiol 119, 1005 (1984).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Gerhardsson M, Norell S E, Kiviranta H, Pedersen N L, Ahlbom A: Sedentary jobs and colon cancer.Am J Epidemiol 123, 775 (1986).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Rylander R: Organic dusts and lung reactions. Exposure characteristics and mechanisms for disease.Scand J Work envir Hlth 11, 199 (1985).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Enterline P E, Sykora J L, Keleti G, Lange J H: Endotoxins, cotton dust and cancer.Lancet 2, 934 (1985).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. International Agency for Research on Cancer: Monographs on the evaluation of the carcinogenic risk of chemicals to humans, Vol 30. Lyon, IARC (1983).

    Google Scholar 

  33. Forman D, Al-Dabbagh S, Doll R: Nitrates, nitrites and gastric cancer in Great Britain.Nature 313, 620 (1985).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Gold E, Gordis L, Tonascia J, Szklo M: Risk factors for brain tumors in children.Am J Epidemiol 109, 309 (1979).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Unger M, Olsen J: Organochlorine compounds in the adipose tissue of deceased patients with and without cancer.Envir Res. 23, 257 (1980).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Musicco M, Filippini G, Bordo B M, Melotto A, Morello G, Berrino F: Gliomas and agricultural exposure to carcinogens: a case-control study.Am J Epidemiol 116, 782 (1982).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Flodin U, Fredriksson M, Axelson O, Persson B, Hardell L: Background radiation, electrical work and some other exposures associated with acute myeloid leukemia in a case-referent study.Archs envir Hlth 41, 77 (1986).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Flodin U: Etiological studies on certain blood malignancies by means of case-control technique (in Swedish). Stockholm, Arbetsmiljöfondens sammanfattningar No. 980 (1986).

  39. Flodin U, Fredriksson M, Persson B, Axelson O: Chronic lymphatic leukemia and engine exhausts, freshwood and DDT. A case-control study.Br J ind Med (in press).

  40. Hogstedt C, Westerlund B: Cohort studies on causes of death of forestry workers with and without exposure to phenoxy acid preparations (in Swedish).Läkartidningen 77, 1828 (1980).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Cantor K, Everett G, Blair A, Gibson R, Schuman L, Isacson P: Farming and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.Am J Epidemiol 122, 535 (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  42. Wang H H, McMahon B: Mortality among pesticide applicators.J occup Med 21, 741 (1979).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Blair A, Grauman A J, Lubin J H, Fraumeni J F Jr: Lung cancer and other causes of death among licenced pesticide applicators.J natn Cancer Inst 71, 31 (1983).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Pimentel J C, Menezes A P: Granulomatous disease with alveolar cell carcinoma due to inhalation of powdered DDT.Pathology 165, 140 (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  45. Lüchtrath H: The consequences of chronic arsenic poisoning among Moselle wine growers.J Cancer Res clin Oncol 105, 173 (1983).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Thiers H, Colomb G, Moulin G, Colin L Le cancer cutané arsenical des viticulteurs du Beaujolais.Ann Derm 94, 133 (1967).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Mabuchi K, Lilienfeld A M, Snell L M: Cancer and occupational exposure to arsenic: a study of pesticide workers.Prev Med 9, 51 (1980).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Brady J, Liberatore F, Harper P, Greenwald P, Burnett W, Davies J N P, Bishop M, Polan A, Vianna N: Angiosarcoma of the liver: an epidemiologic survey.J natn Cancer Inst 59, 1383 (1977).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. El Zayadi A, Khalil A, El Samny N, Hamza M R, Selim O: Hepatic angiosarcoma among Egyptian farmers exposed to pesticides.Hepatogastroent 33, 148 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  50. Riihimäki V, Asp S, Pukkala E, Hernberg S: Mortality of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid herbicide applicators in Finland.Chemosphere 12, 779 (1983).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Lynge E: Weed killers and cancer.Cohort Study of Cancer Outcome among Workers in Production of Phenoxy Acids in a Chemical Factory (in Danish). Copenhagen, Arbejdsmiljøfondet, (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  52. Lynge E: A follow-up study of cancer incidence among workers in manufacture of phenoxy herbicides in Denmark.Br J Cancer 52, 259 (1985).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Ott M G, Holder B B, Olsen R D: A mortality analysis of employees engaged in the manufacture of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid.J occup Med 22, 47 (1980)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Lawrence C E, Reilly A A, Quickenton P, Greenwald P, Page W F, Kuntz A J: Mortality patterns of New York State Vietnam veterans.Am J publ Hlth 75, 277 (1985).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Coggon D, Pannett B, Winter P D, Acheson E D, Bonsall J: Mortality of workers exposed to 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid.Scand J Work envir. Hlth 12, 448 (1986).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Donna A, Betta P-G, Robutti F, Crosignani P, Berrino F, Bellingeri D: Ovarian mesothelial tumors and herbicides: a case-control study.Carcinogenesis 5, 941 (1984).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Woods J S, Polissar L, Severson R K, Heuser L S, Kulander B G: Soft-tissue sarcoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in relation to phenoxy herbicide and chlorinated phenol exposure in western Washington.J natn Cancer Inst (in press).

  58. Vineis P, Terracini B, Ciccone G, Cignetti A, Colombo E, Donna A, Maffi L, Pisa R, Ricci P, Zanini E, Comba P: Phenoxy herbicides and soft-tissue sarcomas in female rice weeders. A population-based case-referent study.Scand J Work envir Hlth 13, 9 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  59. Olsson H: Summary of epidemiologic findings in the study by the Scandinavian sarcoma group (in Swedish). Abstract to the 13th meeting of the Scandinavian Sarcoma Group, Copenhagen, 5–6 March, 1987.

  60. Smith A H, Pearce N E, Fisher D O, Giles H J, Teague C A, Howard J K: Soft tissue sarcoma and exposure to phenoxy herbicides and chlorophenols in New Zealand.J natn Cancer Inst 73, 1111 (1984)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Hoar S K, Blair A, Holmes F F, Boysen C D, Robel R J, Hoover R, Fraumeni Jr J F: Agriculture herbicide use and risk of lymphoma and soft-tissue sarcoma.J Am Med Assoc 256, 1141 (1986).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Kang H K, Weatherbee L, Breslin P P, Lee Y, Shepard B M: Soft tissue sarcomas and military service in Vietnam: a case comparison group analysis of hospital patients.J occup Med 28, 1215 (1986).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Greenwald P, Kovasznay B, Collins D N, Therriault G: Sarcomas of soft tissues after Vietnam service.J natn Cancer Inst 73, 1107 (1984).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Smith A H, Pearce N E: Update on soft tissue sarcoma and phenoxy herbicides in New Zealand.Chemosphere (in press).

  65. Pearce N E, Smith A H, Howard J K, Sheppard R A, Giles H J, Teague C A: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and exposure to phenoxy herbicides, chlorophenols, fencing work and meat works employment. A case-control study.Br J ind Med 43, 75 (1986).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Axelson O: The health effects of phenoxy acid herbicides, in Harrington J M (ed):Recent Advances in Occupational Health, p. 253. Edinburgh, Churchill Livingstone (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  67. Sterling T D, Arundel A: Review of recent Vietnamese studies on the carcinogenic and teratogenic effects of phenoxy herbicide exposure.Int J Hlth Serv 16, 265 (1986).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Sterling T D, Arundel A: Health effects of phenoxy herbicides. A review.Scand J Work envir Hlth 12, 161 (1986).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Hardell L, Johansson B, Axelson O: Epidemiological study of nasal and nasopharyngeal cancer and their relation to phenoxy acid or chlorophenol exposure.Am J ind Med 3, 247 (1982).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Hardell L, Axelson O: Phenoxyherbicides and other pesticides in the etiology of cancer: some comments on Swedish experiences, in Becker C E, Coye M J (eds):Cancer Prevention. Strategies in the Workplace. Washington, DC, Hemisphere (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  71. Wiklund K, Holm L-E: Soft tissue sarcoma risk in Swedish agricultural and forestry workers.J natn Cancer Inst 76, 229 (1986).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Balarajan R, Acheson F D: Soft tissue sarcomas in agriculture and forestry workers.J Epidemiol Commun Hlth 38, 113 (1984).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Royal Commission on the Use and Effects of Chemical Agents on Australian Personnel in Vietnam. Final report, vol. 4:Cancer Canberra, Australian Government Publishing Service (1985).

    Google Scholar 

  74. Axelson O (ed): Rebuttals of the final report on cancer by the Royal Commission on the Use and Effects of Chemical Agents on Australian Personnel in Vietnam. Report no. LiU-YMED-R-6. Linköping, University of Linköping (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  75. Armstrong B K: Storm in a cup of 2,4,5,-T.Med J Aust 144, 284 (1986).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Thomas A S, Saracci R, Humphrey G F, Pollak J K, Axelson O, Hardell L (letters): Storm in a cup of 2,4,5-TMed J Aust 144, 611 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  77. Coggon D, Acheson E D: Do phenoxy herbicides cause cancer in man?Lancet 1, 1057 (1982).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. Colton T: Herbicide exposure and cancer.J Am Med Assoc 256, 1176 (1986).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  79. Axelson O: A note on observational bias in case-referent studies in occupational health epidemiology.Scand J Work envir Hlth 6, 80 (1980).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  80. Tockman M S: Epidemiology in the workplace: The problem of misclassification.J occup Med 24, 21 (1982).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Hardell L: Relation of soft-tissue sarcoma, malignant lymphoma and colon cancer to phenoxy acids, chlorophenols and other agents.Scand J Work envir Hlth 7, 119 (1981).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Hardell L, Bengtsson N O, Johnsson U, Eriksson S, Larsson L G: Aetiological aspects on primary liver cancer with special regard to alcohol, organic solvents and acute intermittent porphyria—an epidemiological investigation.Br J Cancer 50, 389 (1984).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. Axelson O: Elucidation of some epidemiologic principles.Scand J Work envir Hlth 9, 231 (1983).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. Newell K W, Ross A D, Renner R M: Phenoxy and picolinic acid herbicides and small-intestinal carcinoma in sheep.Lancet 2, 1301 (1984).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  85. Linnainmaa K: Genotoxicity of phenoxy acid herbicides 2,4-D and MCPA. Dissertation. Helsinki, University of Helsinki and Institute of Occupational Health (1983).

    Google Scholar 

  86. Vainio H, Nickels J, Linnainmaa K: Phenoxy acid herbicides cause peroxisome proliferation in Chinese hamsters:Scand J Work envir Hlth 8, 70 (1982)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. Reddy J K, Azarnoff D L: Hypolipidaemic hepatic peroxisome proliferators form a novel class of chemical carcinogens.Nature 283, 397 (1980).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  88. Knuutila S: Role of free radicals in genetic damage (mutation).Med Biol 62, 110 (1984).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Occupational Medicine, University Hospital, 581 85, Linköping, Sweden

    Olav Axelson

Authors
  1. Olav Axelson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Axelson, O. Pesticides and cancer risks in agriculture. Med. Oncol. & Tumor Pharmacother. 4, 207–217 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02934517

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02934517

Key words

Search

Navigation