Interleukin 1α and hematological examination in mechanics exposed to low benzene concentrations

Abstract

The hypothesis of Renz and Kalf could not be confirmed. Although the low level exposure of the study population and methodological factors are possible explanations, it cannot be excluded that the hypothesis of Renz and Kalf is not generalizable to benzene-exposed humans. Presently, one cannot advise the measurement of IL-1 alpha production for biological effect monitoring of workers exposed to low concentrations of benzene.

Recent Developments in Benzene Risk Assessment

“…An earlier report also showed that benzene inhibits interleukin-1-alpha (IL-1a ) production from stromal macrophages, and it was suggested that the lack of this cytokine was responsible for benzene-induced bone marrow depression. However, in a more recent study, Hotz et al (1998) reported that IL-1a production was not decreased in mechanics exposed to benzene from fuels (<1 ppm). Since no toxic effect was found on hematological parameters in this study, lack of changes in IL-1 production may be simply due to the low-level exposure of the population studied.…”

“…In mechanics, exposure to low levels of benzene did not affect blood interleukin (IL) 1-alpha concentrations (Hotz et al, 1998). It was suggested that a lack of this cytokine was responsible for benzene-induced bone-marrow suppression and anemia; however, this IL-1a is not a reliable marker for low-dose effects of benzene (Hotz et al, 1998). The measurement of urinary trans,trans -muconic acid (tt-MA) was proposed as a sensitive bioindicator of low-level benzene exposure (Bergamaschi et al, 1999;Javelaud et al, 1998;Scherer et al, 1998).…”

“…In mechanics, exposure to low levels of benzene did not affect blood interleukin (IL) 1-alpha concentrations (Hotz et al, 1998). It was suggested that a lack of this cytokine was responsible for benzene-induced bone-marrow suppression and anemia; however, this IL-1a is not a reliable marker for low-dose effects of benzene (Hotz et al, 1998).…”