Sinonasal cancer is a cancer of the nasal cavities and surrounding sinus tissue. Sinonasal cancer is rare, with an annual incidence rate of about 1 case per 100,000 people in most developed countries [1]. Inhalation of certain dusts and metal compounds are known causes of sinonasal cancer.
Occupational risk factors
Possible occupational risk factors
Elevated risk of sinonasal cancer was observed among workers with potential exposure to wood dust, nickel compounds, chromium (VI) compounds, and formaldehyde. Given the rarity of this type of cancer, many groups had a relatively small number of cases and results should be interpreted with caution.
Elevated risks were found among several groups with exposure to wood dust. In addition to wood dust, workers in these occupations may have exposure to other carcinogens including formaldehyde from resins used in wood products such as fibreboard, or during pulp and paper processing [3].
Workers in metal working occupations may have exposure to nickel and chromium VI compounds, which have been linked to risk of sinonasal cancer. Varying levels of chromium VI and nickel compounds are added to metal alloys such as stainless steel to prevent corrosion and improve strength [5]. Workers may be exposed to these metal fumes and dusts during tasks such as welding and grinding
Some workers in construction may be exposed to wood dust, chromium VI compounds, nickel compounds, and formaldehyde, but the causes for excesses in these groups are not clear [6,7].
Workers in these jobs have a range of exposures such as chromium VI compounds, nickel compounds, and mineral oil.
An excess risk of sinonasal cancer was observed among workers employed in miscellaneous metal mines. Among the metal mines included in this category is nickel, with Ontario being the largest producer in Canada [8].
Several additional groups were observed with increased risk of sinonasal cancer, but case counts were too small in most subgroups to further examine these associations. A potential risk factor for these groups may be exposure to formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen, although the evidence suggesting its carcinogenicity for sinonasal cancer is more limited [1].
Janitors and cleaners may be exposed to formaldehyde in cleaning agents. Permanent press fabrics may contain formaldehyde, which could increase risk among workers in the textile industry. Leather dust has also been linked to sinonasal cancer risk, but too few cases were observed for leather industry workers to examine this association.
Figure 1. Risk of sinonasal cancer diagnosis among workers employed in each industry group relative to all others, Occupational Disease Surveillance System (ODSS), 1999-2016
The hazard ratio is an estimate of the average time to diagnosis among workers in each industry/occupation group divided by that in all others during the study period. Hazard ratios above 1.00 indicate a greater risk of disease in a given group compared to all others. Estimates are adjusted for birth year and sex. The width of the 95% Confidence Interval (CI) is based on the number of cases in each group (more cases narrows the interval).
Figure 2. Risk of sinonasal cancer diagnosis among workers employed in each occupation group relative to all others, Occupational Disease Surveillance System (ODSS), 1999-2016
