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Home paint exposures and risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: findings from the Childhood Leukemia International Consortium

This paper demonstrated that home paint exposure shortly before conception, during pregnancy, and/or after birth appeared to increase the risk of childhood ALL.

Authors:
Bailey HD, Metayer C, Milne E, Petridou ET, Infante-Rivard C, Spector LG, et al. 

Authors notes:
Cancer Causes and Control. 2015;26(9):1257-1270

Keywords:
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Childhood, Paint, Pooled analysis

Abstract:
It has been suggested that home paint exposure increases the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Based on 3,002 cases and 3,836 controls, the pooled odds ratio (OR) for home paint exposure in the 1-3 months before conception and risk of ALL was 1.54, while based on 1,160 cases and 1,641 controls for exposure in the year before conception, it was 1.00.

For exposure during pregnancy, using 4,382 cases and 5,747 controls, the pooled OR was 1.14, and for exposure after birth, the OR was 1.22, based on data from 1,962 cases and 2,973 controls.

The risk was greater for certain cytogenetic subtypes and if someone other than the parents did the painting.

Home paint exposure shortly before conception, during pregnancy, and/or after birth appeared to increase the risk of childhood ALL.

It may be prudent to limit exposure during these periods.