In a cohort study the incidence of skin
tumors on the hands and forearms of 682 turners exposed to cutting
oils was compared to the incidence of the general male population and of office workers. Among the 682 turners, five premalignant squamous cell
tumors and eight
keratoacanthomas were found between 1960 and 1980. Five of this total of 13 turners with primary skin
tumors had another skin
tumor as well. Among the 682 men there were four cases of scrotal
cancer. Among the 375 office workers examined, no malignant or premalignant
tumors or
keratoacanthomas were found on the hands or forearms. No primary skin
tumors were found among the turners after 1975, when the
acid-refined
mineral oils were replaced by
solvent-refined
oils containing a far lower concentration of polyaromatic
hydrocarbons, which are probably the cancerogenic agent in the
oils. The study shows a greatly increased risk of skin
tumors on the hands and forearms of workers exposed to
acid-refined
mineral oils. Individual susceptibility also seems to be indicated.