Residential Pesticides and Childhood Leukemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of previous observational epidemiologic studies examining the relationship between residential pesticide exposures during critical exposure time windows (preconception, pregnancy, and childhood) and childhood leukemia. DATA SOURCES: Searches of MEDLINE and other electronic databases were performed (1950–2009). Reports were included if they were original epidemiologic studies of childhood leukemia, followed a case–control or cohort design, and assessed at least one index of residential/household pesticide exposure/use. No language criteria were applied. DATA EXTRACTION: Study selection, data abstraction, and quality assessment were performed by two independent reviewers. Random effects models were used to obtain summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). DATA SYNTHESIS: Of the 17 identified studies, 15 were included in the meta-analysis. Exposures during pregnancy to unspecified residential pesticides (summary OR = 1.54; 95% CI, 1.13–2.11; I(2) = 66%), insecticides (OR = 2.05; 95% CI, 1.80–2.32; I(2) = 0%), and herbicides (OR = 1.61; 95% CI, 1.20–2.16; I(2) = 0%) were positively associated with childhood leukemia. Exposures during childhood to unspecified residential pesticides (OR = 1.38; 95% CI, 1.12–1.70; I(2) = 4%) and insecticides (OR = 1.61; 95% CI, 1.33–1.95; I(2) = 0%) were also positively associated with childhood leukemia, but there was no association with herbicides. CONCLUSIONS: Positive associations were observed between childhood leukemia and residential pesticide exposures. Further work is needed to confirm previous findings based on self-report, to examine potential exposure–response relationships, and to assess specific pesticides and toxicologically related subgroups of pesticides in more detail.