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Background: Few studies evaluated the use of Household Disinfectant and Cleaning Products (HDCPs) during the COVID-19 pandemic, but no population-based cohorts used longitudinal data. We studied changes in HDCPs during the first lockdown, based on longitudinal data from the French population-based NutriNet-Santé and CONSTANCES cohorts., Methods: Based on standardized questionnaires on household cleaning tasks in 2018-2019 and around the first lockdown in France (March17-May3 2020), we compared the duration of weekly use of HDCPs (< 1 day/week, < 10 min/week; 10-30 min/week; > 30 min/week) and the household cleaning help (yes/no) before and during the lockdown period by Bhapkar and McNemar's tests. Moreover, we assessed self-reported changes in the frequency of HDCPs during the lockdown from before (unchanged/increased)., Results: Analyses were carried on 31,105 participants of NutriNet-Santé (48 years, 75% women, 81% ≥ high school diploma) and 49,491 of CONSTANCES (47 years, 51% women, 87% ≥ high school diploma). During the lockdown, compared with 2018-2019, duration of HDCPs use increased (> 30 min; NutriNet-Santé: 44% versus 18%; CONSTANCES: 63% versus 16%) and household help decreased (NutriNet-Santé: 5% versus 40%; CONSTANCES: 3% versus 56%). Regarding the frequency of HDCPs use, 55% of participants of NutriNet-Santé (57% women/49% men) and 83% of CONSTANCES (86% women/81% men) reported an increased use since the beginning of the lockdown, significantly higher among women (p < 0.0001)., Conclusions: The frequency and duration of weekly use of HDCPs has significantly increased since the pandemic. As the use of HDCPs is associated with health issues, further studies are now needed to evaluate the potential health impacts of these changes., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Few studies have assessed the relation between maternal prenatal pesticides use and childhood lymphoma risk, some reporting a positive association with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). We investigated the association between maternal exposure to pesticides during pregnancy and childhood Hodgkin (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma., Methods: We pooled data from the two French national population-based case-control studies ESCALE (2003-2004) and ESTELLE (2010-2011). Data on domestic and occupational exposures to pesticides during pregnancy were obtained through standardised maternal interviews. Logistic regression models were used to compute odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for HL and NHL, by pesticide category adjusted for potential confounders. Analyses by histological subtypes were also performed., Results: We included 328 H L, 305 non-Hodgkin NHL and 2,415 controls. Around 40% of control mothers reported having used pesticides during index pregnancy, of whom 95% reported insecticides use. Maternal use of herbicides and fungicides occurred mostly in combination with insecticides. Insecticides use was more frequently reported in cases than controls (OR NHL  = 1.6 [95%CI 1.3-2.1], p = 0.0001; OR HL  = 1.3 [95%CI 1.0-1.7], p = 0.03). This association appeared more marked for Burkitt lymphoma and mixed cellularity classical HL. No obvious association was observed with occupational pesticides exposure during pregnancy., Conclusion: These results suggest that maternal domestic use of insecticides during pregnancy might be related to both childhood NHL and HL. Further larger studies are urgently needed., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Purpose: Wilms tumor (WT), or nephroblastoma, is an embryonic tumor that constitutes the most common renal tumor in children. Little is known about the etiology of WT. The aim of this study was to investigate whether maternal or perinatal characteristics were associated with the risk of WT., Methods: The ESTELLE study is a national-based case-control study that included 117 cases of WT and 1,100 controls younger than 11 years old. The cases were children diagnosed in France in 2010-2011 and the controls were frequency matched with cases by age and gender. The mothers of case and control children responded to a telephone questionnaire addressing sociodemographic and perinatal characteristics, childhood environment, and lifestyle. Unconditional logistic regression models adjusted on potential cofounders were used to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and their confidence intervals (95% CI)., Results: High birth weight and the presence of congenital malformation were associated with WT (OR 1.9 [95% CI 1.0-3.7] and OR 2.5 [95% CI 1.1-5.8], respectively). No association with breastfeeding or folic acid supplementation was observed., Conclusions: Although potential recall bias cannot be excluded, our findings reinforce the hypothesis that high birth weight and the presence of congenital malformation may be associated with an increased risk of WT. Further investigations are needed to further elucidate the possible role of maternal characteristics in the etiology of WT.

Purpose: Although some specific genetic syndromes such as neurofibromatosis (NF) have been identified as risk factor of childhood brain tumors (CBT), the potential role of inherited susceptibility in CBT has yet to be elucidated., Methods: To further investigate this, we conducted a pooled analysis of two nationwide case-control studies ESCALE and ESTELLE. The mothers of 509 CBT cases and 3,102 controls aged under 15 years who resided in France at diagnosis/interview, frequency-matched by age and gender, responded to a telephone interview conducted by trained interviewers. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated using unconditional logistic regression., Results: CBT was significantly associated with the family history of cancer in relatives (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-1.5). The OR was slightly higher for maternal relatives than for paternal relatives, and when at least two relatives had a history of cancer. CBT was significantly associated with a family history of brain tumor (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.7). This association seemed stronger for first-degree relatives (mother, father, and siblings), for whom, by contrast, no association was seen for cancers other than CBT. No specificity by CBT subtypes or by age of the children were found for any of these findings., Conclusion: Our findings support the hypothesis of a familial susceptibility of CBT, not due to being a known NF carrier.

Background: Previous studies on the putative role of allergy in the aetiology of childhood leukaemia have reported contradictory results. The present study aimed to analyse the relation between a medical history of asthma or eczema and childhood acute lymphoid leukaemia (ALL) in light of potential candidate gene-environment interactions., Methods: Analyses were based on a subset of 434 cases of ALL and 442 controls successfully genotyped and of European ancestry children enrolled in a French population-based case-control study conducted in 2003-2004. Information about medical history was obtained during a standardized interview with the mothers. Candidate polymorphisms in genes of the Th2 cytokines IL4, IL10, IL13 and IL4-receptor, were genotyped or imputed., Results: None of the variant alleles were directly associated with childhood acute lymphoid leukaemia. A medical history of asthma or eczema was reported more often in the control group (OR = 0.7 [0.5-1.0]). This association was mostly seen in the group of children not carrying the IL13-rs20541 variant allele (Interaction Odds Ratio IOR 1.9, p-interaction = 0.07) and in those carrying the IL10 triple variant haplotype (IOR 0.5, p-interaction = 0.04). No interaction was observed with the candidate polymorphisms in IL4 and IL4R., Conclusion: This study provides a new insight into the relationship between allergic symptoms and childhood acute lymphoid leukaemia, by suggesting this inverse association could be limited to children carrying certain genetic polymorphisms. If confirmed, these results could help better understand the biological mechanisms involved in the development of childhood acute lymphoid leukaemia., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Few studies have investigated whether early infections and factors potentially related to early immune stimulation might be involved in the aetiology of childhood brain tumours (CBT). In this study, we investigated the associations between CBT with early day-care attendance, history of early common infections, atopic conditions (asthma/wheezing, eczema, allergic rhinitis), early farm residence/visits and contact with animals., Methods: We pooled data from two nationwide French case-control studies, the ESCALE and ESTELLE studies. Children with a CBT diagnosed between 1 and 14 years of age were identified directly from the French National Registry of Childhood Cancers, while population controls were recruited from telephone subscribers. Odds-ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders., Results: The analyses included 469 cases and 2719 controls. We found no association between attending a day-care centre (OR: 0.9, 95%CI: 0.7-1.2) or having had repeated common infections (OR: 0.9, 95%CI: 0.7-1.2) in the first year of life and the risk of CBT. There was also no association with a history of asthma/wheezing (OR: 0.8, 95%CI: 0.56-1.1). Farm visits (OR: 0.6, 95%CI: 0.5-0.8) as well as contact with pets (OR: 0.8, 95%CI: 0.6-1.0) in the first year of life were inversely associated with CBT., Conclusions: Our findings suggest a protective effect of early farm visits and contact with pets, but not with other markers of early immune stimulation. This might be related to immune stimulation but needs further investigation., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Factors related to early stimulation of the immune system (breastfeeding, proxies for exposure to infectious agents, normal delivery, and exposure to animals in early life) have been suggested to decrease the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)., Methods: The national registry-based case-control study, ESTELLE, was carried out in France in 2010-2011. Population controls were frequency matched with cases on age and gender. The participation rates were 93% for cases and 86% for controls. Data were obtained from structured telephone questionnaires administered to mothers. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated using unconditional regression models adjusted for age, gender, and potential confounders., Results: In all, 617 ALL and 1225 controls aged ⩾1 year were included. Inverse associations between ALL and early common infections (OR=0.8, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.6, 1.0), non-first born (⩾3 vs 1; OR=0.7, 95% CI: 0.5, 1.0), attendance of a day-care centre before age 1 year (OR=0.7, 95% CI: 0.5, 1.0), breastfeeding (OR=0.8, 95% CI: 0.7, 1.0), and regular contact with pets (OR=0.8, 95% CI: 0.7, 1.0) in infancy were observed., Conclusions: The results support the hypothesis that conditions promoting the maturation of the immune system in infancy have a protective role with respect to ALL.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the associations between childhood acute leukemia (AL) and maternal caffeinated beverage consumption during pregnancy, and to explore interactions between caffeinated and alcoholic beverage consumption and polymorphisms of enzymes involved in caffeine and ethanol metabolisms., Methods: The data were generated by the French ESCALE study, which included 764 AL cases and 1,681 controls in 2003-2004. The case and control mothers were interviewed on their consumption habits during pregnancy using a standardized questionnaire. Genotypes of the candidate alleles (NAT2*5 rs1801280, ADH1C*2 rs698 and rs1693482, CYP2E1*5 rs2031920 and rs3813867) were obtained using high-throughput genotyping and imputation data for 493 AL cases and 549 controls with at least two grandparents born in Europe., Results: Maternal regular coffee consumption during pregnancy was associated with childhood AL (OR = 1.2 [1.0-1.5], p = 0.02); the odds ratios increased linearly with daily intake (p for trend <0.001; >2 cups per day vs. no or less than 1 cup per week: AL: OR = 1.6 [1.2-2.1], lymphoblastic AL: OR = 1.5 [1.1-2.0], myeloblastic AL: OR = 2.4 [1.3-4.3]). The association was slightly more marked for children born to non-smoking mothers. Lymphoblastic AL was also associated with cola soda drinking (OR = 1.3 [1.0-1.5], p = 0.02). No significant gene-environment interactions with coffee, tea, cola soda, or alcohol drinking were observed., Conclusion: This study provides additional evidence that maternal coffee consumption during pregnancy may be associated with childhood AL. Coffee consumption is a prevalent habit and its potential involvement in childhood AL needs to be considered further.

This study investigated the role of factors considered related to early stimulation of the immune system in the etiology of childhood acute leukemia. The national registry-based case-control study ESCALE was carried out in France in 2003-2004. Population controls were frequency matched to cases on age and gender. Data were obtained from structured telephone questionnaires administered to mothers. Odds ratios were estimated using unconditional regression models adjusted for potential confounders. Included were 634 acute lymphoblastic leukemia cases, 86 acute myeloblastic leukemia cases, and 1,494 controls aged ≥1 year. Negative associations were observed between acute lymphoblastic leukemia and birth order (P for trend < 0.0001), attendance at a day-care center before age 1 year (odds ratio (OR) = 0.8, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.6, 1.1), prolonged breastfeeding (OR = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.5, 1.0), repeated early common infections (OR = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.6, 0.9), regular contact with farm animals (OR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.5, 0.8), frequent farm visits in early life (OR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.3, 0.6), and history of asthma (OR = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.4, 1.0) or eczema (OR = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.6, 0.9). Results support the hypothesis that repeated early infections and asthma may play a role against childhood acute leukemia.

Objectives: Investigating the role of occupational exposure to solvents in the occurrence of lymphoid neoplasms (LNs) in men., Methods: The data were generated by a French hospital-based case-control study, conducted in six centres in 2000-2004. The cases were incident cases aged 18-75 years with a diagnosis of LN. During the same period, controls of the same age and gender as the cases were recruited in the same hospitals, mainly in the orthopaedic and rheumatological departments. Exposure to solvents was assessed using standardised occupational questionnaires and case-by-case expert assessment. Specific quantification of benzene exposure was attempted. The analyses included 491 male patients (244 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), 87 of Hodgkin's lymphoma, 104 of lymphoproliferative syndrome and 56 of multiple myeloma) and 456 male controls. Unconditional logistic regressions were used to estimate OR and 95% CI., Results: Solvent exposure, all solvents considered together, was marginally associated with NHL (OR=1.4 (1.0 to 2.0) p=0.06), but not with other LNs. No association with the main chemical series of solvents was observed. There was no trend with the average intensity or frequency of exposure. Exposure to pure benzene was not significantly related to NHL (OR=3.4 (0.8 to 15.0)). The highest maximum intensities of benzene exposure were associated with diffuse large cell lymphoma (OR=2.1 (1.0 to 4.6))., Conclusion: The results of the present study provide estimates compatible with the hypothesis that exposures to pure benzene and high benzene intensities may play a role in some NHL. There was no evidence for a role of other organic solvents in the occurrence of LN.

Background: The association between acute childhood leukaemia and residing next to petrol stations and automotive repair garages was analysed in a national registry-based case-control study carried out in France in 2003-2004., Methods: Population controls were frequency matched with cases on age and gender. Data were collected by standardised telephone interview with the mothers. The latter were asked to report the proximity of their homes to petrol stations, automotive repair garages and other businesses from the conception of the index child to the diagnosis (for cases) or interview (for controls). Odds ratios were estimated using unconditional regression models adjusted for age, gender, number of children under 15 years of age in the household, degree of urbanisation and type of housing., Results: 765 cases of acute leukaemia and 1681 controls were included. Acute leukaemia was significantly associated with residence next to petrol stations or automotive repair garages (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.2) and next to a petrol station (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.0). The OR showed no tendency to increase with duration of exposure. The results were not modified by adjustment for potential confounding factors including urban/rural status and type of housing., Conclusions: The results support the findings of our previous study and suggest that living next to a petrol station may be associated with acute childhood leukaemia. The results also suggest that the role of low-level exposure to benzene in acute childhood leukaemia deserves further evaluation.

Objectives: Investigating the relationship between occupational exposure to pesticides and the risk of lymphoid neoplasms (LNs) in men., Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in six centres in France between 2000 and 2004. The cases were incident cases with a diagnosis of LN aged 18-75 years. During the same period, controls of the same age and sex as the cases were recruited in the same hospital, mainly in the orthopaedic and rheumatological departments. Exposures to pesticides were evaluated through specific interviews and case-by-case expert reviews. Four hundred and ninety-one cases (244 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), 87 of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), 104 of lymphoproliferative syndromes (LPSs) and 56 of multiple myeloma (MM) cases) and 456 controls were included in the analyses. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CI were estimated using unconditional logistic regressions., Results: Positive associations between HL and occupational exposure to triazole fungicides and urea herbicides were observed (OR = 8.4 (2.2 to 32.4), 10.8 (2.4 to 48.1), respectively). Exposure to insecticides, fungicides and herbicides were linked to a threefold increase in MM risk (OR = 2.8 (1.2 to 6.5), 3.2 (1.4 to 7.2), 2.9 (1.3 to 6.5)). For LPS subtypes, associations restricted to hairy-cell leukaemia (HCL) were evidenced for exposure to organochlorine insecticides, phenoxy herbicides and triazine herbicides (OR = 4.9 (1.1 to 21.2), 4.1 (1.1 to 15.5), 5.1 (1.4 to 19.3)), although based on small numbers. Lastly, despite the increased ORs for organochlorine and organophosphate insecticides, carbamate fungicides and triazine herbicides, no significant associations were evidenced for NHL., Conclusions: The results, based on case-by-case expert review of occupation-specific questionnaires, support the hypothesis that occupational pesticide exposures may be involved in HL, MM and HCL and do not rule out a role in NHL. The analyses identified specific pesticides that deserve further investigation and the findings were consistent with those of previous studies.

Objective: To study potential role of smoking and alcohol in lymphoid neoplasms (LN)., Methods: A case-control study that included 824 cases and 752 hospital controls aged 18-75 years was conducted. Cases were newly diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's or Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, or lymphoproliferative syndrome (LPS). Controls were matched with the cases by gender, age, and center., Results: Overall, smoking was not related to LN. However, average tobacco consumption tended to be inversely related to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), LPS, and the hairy cell leukemia (HCL) subtype, with a significant negative trend for the latter (OR of 0.4, 0.2, 0.1 for consumptions of 20 cig/day). An inverse association between 'ever drinking' and Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL: OR = 0.5 [0.3-0.8]) and NHL (OR = 0.7 [0.5-1.0]) was evidenced and restricted to the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma subtype, with significant negative trends. The controls' smoking and drinking habits were similar to those of French population. The results remained unchanged after adjustment for potential confounding factors and when smoking and drinking were both included in the models., Conclusion: Results are consistent with those of several previous studies and suggest a direct or indirect protective effect of smoking with respect to HCL although based on small numbers. The negative relationship between alcohol consumption and Hodgkin's and NHL, also previously reported, needs further investigations.

Objectives: Investigating the relationship between skin type, UV exposure, and lymphoid malignancies (LM)., Methods: We conducted a hospital-based case-control study in France, including 813 incident cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), lymphoproliferative syndrome (LPS) or multiple myeloma and 748 controls., Results: Positive associations between HL and blond/red hair (OR = 1.8 [0.8-3.8]), very fair/fair skin (OR = 1.6 [1.0-2.5]) were observed. High propensity to burn was associated with HL (OR = 1.5 [1.0-2.2]) and LPS (OR = 1.4 [1.0-2.1]). Poor ability to tan was significantly associated with HL (OR = 1.7 [1.0-2.8]). Having light hair with high propensity to burn was associated with NHL (OR = 1.5 [0.9-2.5]) and significantly with HL (OR = 3.4 [1.4-8.4]). Having dark hair with high propensity to burn was significantly associated with LPS (OR = 1.5 [1.0-2.2]). The associations with HL and NHL were significant for men only, with significant interactions. Outdoors activities since leaving school or in the last decade were not related to LM. Only an almost negative trend was observed. Prior exposure to artificial UV was not associated with LM., Conclusion: These results suggest a positive association between the most reactive and palest skin types and NHL or HL in men and do not rule out a slight negative relationship between UV exposure and LM.

Objectives: Investigating relationships between potential occupational risk factors and lymphoid malignancy (LM)., Methods: We conducted a multicenter hospital-based case-control study in France between 2000 and 2004, including 824 incident cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), multiple myeloma, and "lymphoproliferative syndrome" and 752 frequency-matched controls. Data were collected through face-to-face standardized and detailed interviews., Results: Farming was significantly associated with NHL (odds ratio [OR] = 1.4 [1.0 to 2.0]) and, although not significantly, with lymphoproliferative syndrome and multiple myeloma. ORs were higher for longest durations of exposure. Self-declared exposure to pesticides was significantly associated with NHL (OR = 1.8 [1.2 to 2.7]) and HL (OR = 2.2 [1.0 to 4.7]). Neither solvent-related jobs nor self-reported exposure to solvents were related to LM. Systematic screening based on job titles did not evidence any other association., Conclusions: The results support the hypothesis that farming plays a role in most types of LM.