Background Occupational wood dust exposure is associated with increased risk of sinonasal cancer in men. However, little is known whether it is associated with sinonasal cancer in women or with malignancies of other sites. Methods In a retrospective cohort study of furniture workers, cancer incidence in 3723 men and 3063 women between 1968 and 1995 was compared to the incidence in the general population of Estonia. Cancer risks were analyzed by employment duration and occupation.
Results
The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for all cancers did not differ signi®cantly from one. Two men and one woman had sinonasal cancer (expected 1.07 and 0.53, respectively). Signi®cantly increased risk of colon cancer was seen in the cohort (SIR 1.65, 95% con®dence interval (CI) 1.22±2.17). Subjects employed for 10 years and over had signi®cant excess of colon cancer (SIR 2.29, 95% CI 1.28±3.77) and rectal cancer (SIR 2.10, 95% CI 1.05±3.76) in the analysis by employment duration using exposure with a latency of 20 years. The nonsigni®cant excess of pharyngeal cancer in men (SIR 1.82) and lung cancer in women (SIR 1.43) was restricted to short-term workers. Conclusions This study found an excess of colon and rectal cancer in furniture workers. There was no increase in total cancer risk. Am.