# Breast cancer-related occupational exposures facing immigrant women

## TL;DR

The study finds that immigrant women in the U.S. often work in jobs with high exposure to chemicals linked to breast cancer, highlighting a need for further research and prevention.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific occupations with high breast cancer-related chemical exposures among immigrant women, linking job roles to potential carcinogens.

## Key findings

- Immigrant women frequently work in occupations like house cleaning and nursing with high exposure to breast cancer-related chemicals.
- Chemicals such as phthalates and antimicrobials in these jobs are linked to breast cancer and endocrine disruption.
- Immigrant women with lower education and English fluency face higher exposure risks in their jobs.

## Abstract

Immigrants comprise roughly 14% of the U.S. population, and studies indicate that breast cancer increases among some immigrant groups after relocating to the U.S.

We characterized exposures to breast cancer-relevant chemicals in jobs commonly occupied by U.S. immigrant women, aged 18–65.

We analyzed data from the American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample to profile which occupations are most prevalent for immigrant women and integrated these results with data on occupational chemical exposures from the Women’s Occupations and Risk from Chemicals tool, which identifies occupations with probable and possible chemical exposures of relevance for breast cancer.

Immigrant women most commonly work as house cleaners, nurses, cashiers, janitors, and care aides, and comprise 71% of manicurists. We prioritize the occupations house cleaners and nurses for their combination of high potential exposures and the large number of immigrant women employed in these occupations. Chemicals of interest are those found in fragrances, and cleaning and maintenance products, including phthalates, antimicrobials, and alkylphenols. Many of these compounds are mammary gland carcinogens and developmental toxicants, and/or endocrine disruptors.

There are few studies of breast cancer-relevant chemical exposures for most occupations, including those heavily represented by immigrant women. By identifying jobs that employ large numbers of immigrant women and are associated with a high likelihood of exposure to potential breast carcinogens, we inform future research on breast cancer-relevant exposures and opportunities for preventative exposure reduction. We also show that immigrant women with lower levels of education and English fluency work in occupations with more potential for harmful chemical exposures.

There are few studies of breast cancer-relevant chemical exposures for most occupations, including those heavily represented by immigrant women. By identifying jobs that employ large numbers of immigrant women and are associated with a high likelihood of exposure to potential breast carcinogens, we inform future research on breast cancer-relevant exposures and opportunities for preventative exposure reduction. We also show that immigrant women with lower levels of education and English fluency work in occupations with more potential for harmful chemical exposures.