The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies substances based on their carcinogenicity to humans. According to IARC, exposure to some substances or occupations may increase the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
There is limited evidence that the following occupational exposures may increase the risk of NHL:
- Industrial chemicals: ethylene oxide, trichloroethylene, dichloromethane, benzene, 1,3-butadiene
- Pesticides: glyphosate, malathion, diazinon, lindane
Who is exposed?
CAREX Canada estimates the number of Canadians exposed to carcinogens in the workplace. See the CAREX Canada carcinogen profiles for more information on exposures associated with NHL and the related industries and occupations:
- Industrial chemicals: ethylene oxide, trichloroethylene, dichloromethane, benzene, 1,3-butadiene
- Pesticides: glyphosate, malathion, diazinon, lindane
What is the evidence?
See the IARC monographs for more information on the scientific evidence linking these substances with increased risk of NHL:
- Industrial chemicals: ethylene oxide, trichloroethylene, dichloromethane, benzene, 1,3-butadiene
- Pesticides: glyphosate, malathion, diazinon, lindane
For more information on how IARC classifies carcinogens, read this fact sheet.
OCRC Resources
- Research project: Cross-Canada study of pesticides and select cancers
- Research project: North American Pooled Project: Pesticides, agricultural exposures, and cancer
- Journal article: Exposure to multiple pesticides and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in men from six Canadian provinces
- Journal article: Exposure to multiple pesticides and the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Journal article: Pesticide use, immunologic conditions, and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in Canadian men in six provinces
- Journal article: Differences in the carcinogenic evaluation of glyphosate between the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
