[Etiological epidemiology of tumors of the nasal cavities and the paranasal sinuses].

Etiologically-oriented epidemiologic studies on cancer of the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses have been carried out since the beginning of the century. These studies showed that several chemical agents (chromates, nickel compounds, isopropylic alcohol, and mustard gas), and two occupational exposures (wood dust in the furniture industry and exposure to leather in shoe factories) were causally associated with nasal cancer. An increased risk has also been associated with several occupations (i.e. metalworker, textile worker, construction worker, and farmer) even in the apparent absence of causal agents. The first reports of an increased risk of nasal cancer in woodworkers and leather workers in Italy date back to 1980. Subsequent studies have provided estimates of the relative risk, ranging from 3.0 to 11.0 among woodworkers and from 8.1 to 47.1 among leatherworkers. Increased risks have been associated to the metal industry (relative risk ranging from 3.1 to 5.9), the textile industry (ranging from 2.9 to 17.0), the mining and construction industry (ranging from 2.3 to 5.3), and the agricultural industry (ranging from 1.9 to 3.3); all of these estimates are time- and place-specific. Moreover, the estimates are not reliable because of the small sample size, resulting from the low occurrence of the disease. The etiologic fraction for the population, taking into account both verified and suspected carcinogenic exposures, ranges between 50% and 65% in males. Relatively few cases of nasal cancer (all of them occurring in woodworkers) have been notified for workman's compensation; woodworkers with nasal cancer have received monetary compensation in Italy since 1988. Nasal cancer is an often fatal but largely preventable disease. Several verified and suspected occupational exposures are associated with this neoplasm. The reduction of dust and fumes in the air of the above mentioned work environments is recommended for reducing the occurrence of this disease.