Occupational
The risk of digestive cancers from occupational exposure to ethylene oxide: a preliminary meta-analysis using existing literature Liz Best* Elizabeth Best Best Best Best Best Insight Exposure & Risk Sciences Group
We conducted a preliminary literature review and meta-analysis of peer reviewed literature that examined the risk of digestive cancers, including mouth, esophagus, gallbladder, stomach, pancreas, liver, large and small intestines, anus, colon, and rectum, among individuals occupationally exposed to ethylene oxide (EtO). Our literature search was performed in PubMed from inception to 2025. Pooled risk estimates were calculated using DerSimonian and Laird random effects models. The overall meta-relative risk (meta-RR) for digestive cancers was 1.01 (95% CI: 0.69-1.47), mouth cancer was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.34-1.92), esophageal cancer was 1.04 (95% CI: 0.58-1.85), stomach cancer was 1.04 (95% CI: 0.66-1.64), pancreatic cancer was 1.16 (95% CI: 0.87-1.56), liver cancer was 1.08 (95% CI: 0.56-2.09), intestinal cancers were 1.01 (95% CI 0.65-1.55), and anal, colon, and rectal cancers were 0.97 (95% CI: 0.59-1.60). Significant heterogeneity was not observed across the analyses. There were no results for gallbladder cancer. Based on this analysis, there is no evidence to suggest that occupational exposure to EtO is associated with an increased risk of digestive cancers.