Occupation and Hodgkin's Disease

Abstract

An incidence survey of Hodgkin's disease (HD) was conducted in the Boston Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area for 1959–73. Information on affected persons, 20 to 64 years old, was related to the 1960 and 1970 U.S. decennial censuses to evaluate the rates of HD in several occupational groups of special interest. No excess HD risk was found for two groups with high exposure to persons with the disease: Physicians had a relative risk (RR) of 1.2 (0.4–2.6, 95% confidence interval) and nurses had an RR of 0.9 (0.4–1.8). Teachers, a group suggested to be at high risk due to exposure to “carriers” or contacts, had an RR of 1.1 (0.7–1.6). A high sex ratio, 1.9:1, at 35–64 years of age suggested that occupational exposures might increase disease risk. However, no difference in HD incidence was seen between employed and unemployed women in this age group. As in previous studies, woodworkers had an excess risk of HD [RR=1.6 (0.9–2.6)], but the reason for this is obscure.