Gender differences in occupational exposure to carcinogens among Italian workers

BACKGROUND Many carcinogenic chemicals are still used or produced in several economic sectors. The aim of this study is to investigate differences in occupational exposure patterns to carcinogens by gender in Italy. METHODS Information about the most common carcinogens recorded in the Italian occupational exposures database (SIREP) for the period 1996-2015 was retrieved. Descriptive statistics were calculated for exposure-related variables (carcinogenic agent, occupational group, economic activity sector, and workforce size). The chi-square(χ2) test was used to verify differences between genders, and logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between gender and risk of having higher exposure levels, after adjusting for age. Concurrent exposures to multiple carcinogens were investigated using the two-step cluster analysis. RESULTS A total of 166,617 exposure measurements were selected for 40 different carcinogens. Exposed workers were only in a small proportion women (9%), and mostly aged 20-44 years (70%) in both genders. Women were more likely to be exposed than men to higher levels for several carcinogens even after correction for age at exposure, and the exposure level was significantly (p < 0.01) associated with occupation, economic sector and workforce size. The five main clusters of co-exposures identified in the entire dataset showed a differential distribution across economic sectors between genders. CONCLUSIONS The exposures to occupational carcinogens have distinguishing characteristics in women, that are explained in part by work and job segregation. Because of the presence of high-exposed groups of female workers in many industrial sectors, further research and prevention efforts are recommended.