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Benzene Exposure Risk

"Italian Study Links Benzene to Leukemia"

December 22, 2008

A recent study, based out of Italy, has offered new evidence that links exposure to the industrial solvent benzene to an increased likelihood of developing multiple myeloma and chronic lymphoid leukemia.

New Evidence for an Ongoing Debate

According to Dr. Adele Seniori Constantini of the Center for Study and Prevention of Cancer, while benzene exposure’s association with certain diseases has been deemed irrefutable, its link to the increased risk of developing multiple myeloma and chronic lymphoid leukemia is, “still under debate."

Benzene Exposure Study Details

The study performed by Dr. Constantini started with an investigation of:

• All cases of blood and lymphatic cancers diagnosed in people 20 to 74-years-old between 1991 and 1993 in 11 regions in Italy

• This included a total of 2,737 malignancies

• They looked at 586 cases of leukemia found in seven of the regions, comparing chemical exposures for the ill individuals to those for 1,278 controls based on occupation.

Benzene Exposure Linked to Leukemia

As a result of their studies, researchers found a link between multiple myeloma and chronic lymphoid leukemia and benzene exposure. The study showed the following:

• Medium to high levels of benzene exposure practically doubled the risk of these two blood cancers.

• Being exposed to medium to high levels of benzene for more than 15 years increased a person's chronic lymphoid leukemia risk 4.7-fold

• The more intense and prolonged the exposure, the greater the risk.

What is Multiple Myeloma?

Multiple myeloma (also known as myeloma or plasma cell myeloma) is a progressive blood disease. It is a cancer of the plasma cell, an important part of the immune system that produces antibodies to help fight infection and disease.

What is Chronic Lymphoid Leukemia?

Chronic lymphoid leukemia is a type of leukemia, or cancer of the white blood cells. It affects a particular lymphocyte, the B cell, which originates in the bone marrow, develops in the lymph nodes, and normally fights infection.