A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Scholar Google and Russian Google databases to identify reviews and epidemiological studies on
bladder cancer risk factors associated with the environment published between 1998 and 2010. Only literature discussing human studies was considered.
RESULTS: Smoking, mainly cigarette smoking, is a well known risk factor for various diseases, including
bladder cancer. Another factor strongly associated with
bladder cancer is exposure to
arsenic in
drinking water at concentrations higher than 300 µg/l. The most notable risk factor for development of
bladder cancer is occupational exposure to aromatic
amines (
2-naphthylamine, 4-aminobiphenyl and
benzidine) and
4,4'-methylenebis(2-chloroaniline), which can be found in the products of the chemical,
dye and rubber industries as well as in
hair dyes, paints, fungicides, cigarette
smoke, plastics, metals and motor vehicle exhaust. There are also data suggesting an effect from of other types of smoking besides cigarettes (cigar, pipe, Egyptian waterpipe, smokeless tobacco and environmental tobacco smoking), and other sources of
arsenic exposure such as air, food, occupational hazards, and tobacco. Other studies show that hairdressers and barbers with occupational exposure to
hair dyes experience enhanced risk of
bladder cancer. For example, a study related to personal use of
hair dyes demonstrates an elevated
bladder cancer risk for people who used permanent
hair dyes at least once a month, for one year or longer.
CONCLUSION: Smoking, in particular from cigarettes, exposure to
arsenic in
drinking water, and occupational exposure to aromatic
amines and
4,4'-methylenebis(2-chloroaniline) are well known risk factors for various diseases including
bladder cancer. Although the number of chemicals related to occupational exposure is still growing, it is worth noting that it may take several years or decades between exposure and the subsequent
cancer.