Methods—We conducted a population-based case-control study, with 440 cases, identified from
1993 to 1996 through the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Cancer Surveillance System
for western Washington State, and 845 age-matched controls, identified by random-digit dialing.
Using detailed work and personal histories, quantitative estimates of cumulative exposure to wood
dust (thought to be primarily from softwood) were calculated for each participant. Using
unconditional logistic regression adjusted for age and smoking status, risk of lung cancer was
examined in relation to employment in wood-related occupations, working with wood as a hobby,
as well as cumulative wood dust exposure that took into account both occupational and hobbyrelated
sources.