S8

demethylasc (DMND) activities in pulmonary and hepatic tissues of male SpragueDawley rats were assayed following pretreatment with known inducers (benzo[a]pyrenc, 3-methylcholanthrene, Aroclor 1254, phenobarbital) and with main-stream (MS) and side-stream (SS) ciga- rcttc smoke condensates and their related fractions. Biochemical assays by spectrophotofluorimctry (AHH activity) and spectrophotometry (DMND activity) and by a biological assay (Ames test) were performed to dctcct AHH and DMND induction. Ames test proved to be much less scnsilivc than the spectrophotofluorimetric analysis for AHH determi- nation. Both main-stream and sidc-stream cigarcttc smoke condensates and some fractions, containing water-soluble bases, water-insoluble bases, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, were found to induce AHH activity in lung and liver, the lung being induced to the greatest extent. The highest lcvcls of AHH inducibility were found for the SS- smoke condcnsatc and related fractions. In particular, the insoluble bases fractions gave the highest induction. On the contrary, pulmonary DMND activity was not affected by pretreatment with the same mate- rials, while hepatic DMND response was only minimally induced by Aroclor and phenobarbital treatment.

Possible causes of increased lung cancer incidence among butchers and slaughterhouse workers. Gustavsson P, Fellenius E, Hogstedt C. Deparfmen~ of Occupational

Medicine, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm. Stand J Work Environ Health 1987;13:518-23

An excessof lung cancer among butchers and slaughterhouse workers hasbecn reported in several record-linkage studies. In this case-referent investigation on the possibility of occupational exposures being related to the lung cancer excess, cases and referents were selected from butchers and slaughterhouse workers registered in the Swedish national census of 1960. The case group comprised all men in the study population dying from lung cancer between 1971 and 1982. Two refcrcncc groups wcrc formed, ic, all individuals dying from other cancers and a random sample of all dead men in the study population during the same time period. The history of occupations, occupational exposures, and smoking habits was obtained from the next-of-kin by qucstionnairc. None of the occupational exposures that were studied (work with live animal care, in the bleeding area, on thekilling floor, or with mcatcutting,proccssing,curing,smoking,chillingandpackaging) were associated with an increased lung cancer rate. Tobacco smoking habits may have conuibutcd to the overall excess of lung cancer found previously for this occupational group.

Lung cancer mortality in workers exposed to sulfuric acid mist and other acid mists Beaumont JJ, Levcton J, Knox K et al. Industrywide Studies Branch. National Instirute for Occupational Safely and Health, Public Healrh Service. U.S. Deparnnent of Heallh and Human Services, Cincinnati, OH 45226. J Nat1 Cancer Inst1987;79:911-21.

Mortality patterns were studied in 1,165 workers exposed to sulfuric acidmistandotheracidmists(primarilyhydrochloricacidmist)insteel- pickling operations. Standardized mortality ratio (SMR) analysis of the full ‘any acid exposure’ cohort (n=1,165), with the use of U.S. death rates as a standard, showed that lung cancer was significantly elevated, with a mortalityratioof 1.64 [95% confidence interval (Cl) = 1.14-2.28, based on 35 observed deaths]. The lung cancer mortality ratio for workers exposed only to sulfuric acid (n=722) was lower (SMR=l.39), but further restriction to the time 20 years and more from first employ-. ment in a job with probable daily sulfuric acid exposure (--0.2 mg/m’) yielded a mortality ratio of 1.93 (95% Cl = 1.10-3.13). An excess lung cancer risk was also seen in workers exposed LO acids other than sulfuric acid (SMR=2.24; 95% Cl = 1.02-2.46). When comparison was made to other steel workers (rather than to the U.S. general population) tocontrol

for socio-economic and life-style factors such as smoking, the largest lung cancer excess was again seen in workers exposed toacids other than sulfuric acid (SMR = 2.00; 95% Cl = 1.06-3.78). Adjustment for potential differences in smoking habits showed that increased smoking was unlikely to have entirely explained the increased risk. Mortality from causes of death other than lung cancer was unremarkable, with the exception of significantly low rates for deaths due to digestive system diseases.

Epidemiology of respiratory cancers related to nickel mining and refining in New Caledonia (1978-1984). Goldberg M, Goldberg P, Leclerc Ael al. INSERM (1.88, GERSS, 75634 Paris Cedex 13. Int J Cancer. 1987;40:300-4.

The incidence rate of respiratory (lung and upper respiratory tract) cancer related to the nickel industry was studied in the male population of New Caledonia over a 7-year period (1978- 1984). The findings show no excess incidence of lung or upper respiratory tract (larynx,pharynx, nasal cavities) cancer cases in the population of nickel workers com- pared with the rest of the male population in New Caledonia. This result was corroborated by a case-control study which does not indicate any particular role of hazards specific to the nickel mining and refining industry. Our findings, which may be specific for the type of ore processed in New Caledonia, must nevertheless be confirmed by extending thestudy toatotalof lOyears(1978-1987).Theincidencerate of male respiratory cancer in New Calcdonia was also compared to that of cancers of this type reported in certain regions of industrialized countries(Australia,France,U.K.,USA). Suchfindingsareverysimilar to those observed in New Caledonia, thereby confirming a predominant role of tobacco and alcohol consumption in a territory which, despite certain characteristics of a developing country, has life-style habits similar to those of industrialized countries.

Lung cancer in males and type of dwelling. An epidemiologic pilot study. Dambcr LA, Larsson L-G. Centre of Oncology. University Hospital, S- 90185 Umea. ACTA ONCOL 1987;26:211-5.

Data from a large case-control study of male lung cancer in northern Sweden were used for a pilot study concerning possible association between type of dwelling (indoor radon) and lung cancer. The study illustrated the possibilities of retrospective assessment of building type and confounding factors of importance as smoking and occupation and can therefore have methodologic value for further investigations. The study suggested that, within the region, increased indoor radon due to building material was not an important cause of lung cancer. Leakage of radon from the ground could, however, not be considered in the present study and the used radon measure was very crude (years in non- wooden houses).

Basic Biology

Role of T-lymphocytes in production of a cancer-associated protein factor in serum from lung cancer patients. Kotlar HK, Sanner T. Laboraloryfor Environmental andOccupational Cancer, Institule for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospi- tal, N-0320 Oslo 3. Eur J Cancer Clin Oncol 1988;24:1763-70.

Oligoclonal T-cells have been generated by sensitization of periph- eral blood mononuclear cells from lung cancer patients to a lung cancer tumor-associated antigen (TAA). A factor similar to the antigen- specific glycoprotcin factor in the serum of these cancer patients was found in the supematant of the oligoclonal T-cells. The factor from the T-cell supernatant had specificity for lung cancer TAA and induced stimulation of normal lymphocytes of the CD8 phenotype when mixed