A new research study has demonstrated an association between myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and benzene exposure amongst petroleum workers [1]. MDS are haematological conditions involving the ineffective production of myeloid blood cells. People with MDS may develop severe anemia and cytopenias (low blood counts). About 10% to 30% of people with MDS go on to develop acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and so the condition is an important marker for this more serious disease. Prolonged exposure to high levels of benzene is known to cause AML. Schnatter and his collaborators describe a pooled analysis of lymphohematopoietic (LH) cancers in relation to benzene exposure amongst petroleum distribution workers who were generally exposed to lower levels of benzene [1]. The studies were carried out in Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada. Subjects were followed-up to 2006, which resulted in 370 cases of LH cancer and 1587 matched controls without these diseases. The average cumulative exposures was less than 10 ppm-years, which was based on mean exposure levels of 0.2–0.3 ppm and average durations of about 20 years. For comparison the occupational exposure limits in Britain and the USA (OSHA) are 1 ppm.
The odds ratio for MDS showed a monotonic exposure–response relationship with cumulative benzene exposure, as illustrated in the graph. There was little evidence of any exposure–response relationships for AML or any of the other LH cancers investigated. The authors concluded that, "relatively low-level exposure to benzene experienced by petroleum distribution workers was associated with an increased risk of MDS, but not AML, suggesting that MDS may be the more relevant health risk for lower exposures." Reference 1. Schnatter AR, Glass DC, Tang G, et al. Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Benzene Exposure Among Petroleum Workers: An International Pooled Analysis. JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute Published Online First: 30 October 2012. doi:10.1093/jnci/djs411
Source: http://johncherrie.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/myelodysplastic-syndromes-are-linked-to.htm
The odds ratio for MDS showed a monotonic exposure–response relationship with cumulative benzene exposure, as illustrated in the graph. There was little evidence of any exposure–response relationships for AML or any of the other LH cancers investigated. The authors concluded that, "relatively low-level exposure to benzene experienced by petroleum distribution workers was associated with an increased risk of MDS, but not AML, suggesting that MDS may be the more relevant health risk for lower exposures." Reference 1. Schnatter AR, Glass DC, Tang G, et al. Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Benzene Exposure Among Petroleum Workers: An International Pooled Analysis. JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute Published Online First: 30 October 2012. doi:10.1093/jnci/djs411
Source: http://johncherrie.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/myelodysplastic-syndromes-are-linked-to.htm
