An expanded cohort study of cancer among benzene-exposed workers in China. Benzene Study Group

Environ Health Perspect. 1996 Dec;104 Suppl 6(Suppl 6):1339-41. doi: 10.1289/ehp.961041339.

Abstract

An expanded cohort study of 74,828 benzene-exposed and 35,805 unexposed workers were followed during 1972 to 1987, based on a previous study in 12 cities in China. A small increase was observed in total cancer mortality among benzene-exposed compared with unexposed workers (relative risk [RR] = 1.2). Statistically significant excesses were noted for leukemia (RR = 2.3), malignant lymphoma (RR = 4.5), and lung cancer (RR = 1.4). When risks were evaluated by leukemia subtype, only acute myelogenous leukemia was significantly elevated (RR = 3.1), although nonsignificant excesses were also noted for chronic myelogenous leukemia (RR = 2.6) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (RR = 2.3). A significant excess was also found for aplastic anemia.

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Aplastic / chemically induced
  • Anemia, Aplastic / epidemiology
  • Benzene / toxicity*
  • Carcinogens / toxicity
  • China / epidemiology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukemia / chemically induced
  • Leukemia / mortality
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / chemically induced
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / mortality
  • Lung Neoplasms / chemically induced
  • Lung Neoplasms / mortality
  • Lymphoma / chemically induced
  • Lymphoma / mortality
  • Male
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes / chemically induced
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes / epidemiology
  • Neoplasms / chemically induced*
  • Neoplasms / mortality
  • Occupational Diseases / chemically induced
  • Occupational Diseases / epidemiology
  • Occupational Diseases / mortality
  • Occupational Exposure*
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Carcinogens
  • Benzene