Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in residential dust and risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Abstract

Several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known or probable human carcinogens. We evaluated the relationship between PAH exposure and risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) using concentrations in residential dust as an exposure indicator. We conducted a population-based case-control study (251 ALL cases, 306 birth-certificate controls) in Northern and Central California from 2001–2007. We collected residential dust using a high volume small surface sampler (HVS3) (n=185 cases, 212 controls) or by sampling from participants’ household vacuum cleaners (n=66 cases, 94 controls). We evaluated log-transformed concentrations of 9 individual PAHs, the summed PAHs, and the summed PAHs weighted by their carcinogenic potency (the toxic equivalence). We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using logistic regression adjusting for demographic characteristics and duration between diagnosis/reference date and dust collection. Among participants with HVS3 dust, risk of ALL was not associated with increasing concentration of any PAHs (based on OR per ln(ng/g). Among participants with vacuum dust, we observed positive associations between ALL risk and increasing concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene (OR per ln[ng/g]=1.42, 95% CI=0.95, 2.12), dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (OR=1.98, 95% CI=1.11, 3.55), benzo[k]fluoranthene (OR=1.71, 95% CI= 0.91, 3.22), indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (OR=1.81, 95% CI=1.04, 3.16), and the toxic equivalence (OR=2.35, 95% CI=1.18, 4.69). The increased ALL risk among participants with vacuum dust suggests that PAH exposure may increase the risk of childhood ALL; however, reasons for the different results based on HVS3 dust samples deserve further study.

Childhood leukemia and residential proximity to industrial and urban sites

“…In our study, we have found high statistically significant excess risks in children living close to industrial installations releasing these pollutants, findings consistent with other studies about exposure to specific PAHs (Deziel et al, 2014;Miligi et al, 2013). With respect to other pollutants, a Canadian study found an association between exposure to zinc in drinking water and childhood leukemia (Infante-Rivard et al, 2001), whereas some studies have found associations between some types of childhood leukemia and parental occupational exposure to toluene (Infante-Rivard et al, 2005), and chromium and lead (Miligi et al, 2013).…”

IL-10 gene polymorphism and influence of chemotherapy on cytokine plasma levels in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients

“…Although some modification in genome, like gene NOTCH1 [2], TEL-AML1 [3], Philadelphia chromosome [4], and exposure to carcinogenic factors, like aromatic hydrocarbons [5], ionizing radiation [6], air pollution [7] have been described to influence the ALL pathogenesis, they explain a few percentage of the cases.…”

Domestic Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in a Houston, Texas, Environmental Justice Neighborhood

“…Although prior research has quantified levels of exposure and subsequent potential health implications of PAHs in many occupational settings (Bosetti, Boffetta, and La Vecchia 2007; Langlois et al 2013; Lupo et al 2012; O’Brien et al 2016), more information is needed to quantify domestic exposures and their potential health impacts (DellaVale et al 2016; Deziel et al 2014; Kang et al 2015; Kim, Jahan, Kabir, and Brown 2013; Kuo, Hsu, and Lee 2003). Settled dust and particulate matter within homes can be an important exposure route for individuals, in general, and children, in particular.…”