Carcinogenicity of TCDD: A Review of Epidemiologic Literature, 1990 Environmental Conference Proceedings

A review of the epidemiologic literature pertinent to the potential carcinogenic effects of TCDD was performed. Most studies dealt with civilian and military populations exposed to phenoxy herbicides, substances known to be contaminated with varying amounts of TCDD. An association between phenoxy herbicide exposure and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma was found in several of the studied populations. Although statistical elevations in the risk of soft tissue sarcoma associated with phenoxy herbicide use was found by one group of researchers, findings have not been replicated in other studies, including a large historical prospective study. Likewise, an increase in stomach cancer noted in two small studies is unlikely to be related to herbicide exposure. A weak association between phenoxy herbicide exposure and lung cancer has been noted in some historical prospective studies. However, the lack of information on smoking makes this observation difficult to clinically interpret. Additional study, focusing on clarification of exposure, is needed to assess the carcinogenic potential of TCDD in humans.