The relationship between low-level benzene exposure and blood cell counts in Korean workers

Koh, Dong-Hee; Jeon, Hee-Kyung; Lee, Sang-Gil; Ryu, Hyang-Woo

doi:10.1136/oemed-2014-102227

Cited by 66 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…More recently, Koh et al . used the Korean Special Health Examination Database to assign exposure levels to benzene-exposed workers using process, factory, and industry codes (Koh et al 2015); the authors reported decreased RBCs among male workers exposed to 0.01–0.1 ppm and 0.1–0.5 ppm, compared to the referent group (<0.01 ppm). Three industry-supported occupational studies by Swaen et al , Collins et al ., and Tsai et al ., however, did not report such effects among workers exposed to benzene at air concentrations below one ppm (Collins et al 1991; Swaen et al 2010; Tsai et al 2004).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our blood VOC concentrations were measured by the laboratory that conducts all NHANES VOC analyses. Our outcomes, the hematologic parameters represented by CBCs and measured in a CLIA-certified laboratory, have been associated with hematologic effects of BTEXS exposures in occupational settings, including at low doses (Koh et al 2015; Lan et al 2004; Qu et al 2002), and have also been used in a few environmental studies (Jeng et al 2006; Lee et al 2002; Pelallo-Martinez et al 2014). Additionally, relevant interview data enabled us to adjust for a range of potential confounding factors and also assess confounding by tobacco smoke exposure, a particularly important confounding variable, in multiple ways, including self-report of primary and passive smoking status in conjunction with a biomarker of tobacco smoke.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some (Koh et al 2015; Lan et al 2004; Qu et al. 2002), but not all (Collins et al 1997; Swaen et al 2010; Tsai et al 2004), occupational studies have reported decreased blood cell counts and other hematologic abnormalities among workers exposed to benzene even at time-weighted average air concentrations at or below one part per million (ppm).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Associations between blood BTEXS concentrations and hematologic parameters among adult residents of the U.S. Gulf States

Doherty

Kwok

Curry

et al. 2017

Environmental Research

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Background Studies of workers exposed to benzene at average air concentrations below one part per million suggest that benzene, a known hematotoxin, causes hematopoietic damage even at low exposure levels. However, evidence of such effects outside of occupational settings and for other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is limited. Objective To investigate associations between ambient exposures to five VOCs, including benzene, and hematologic parameters among adult residents of the U. S. Gulf Coast. Materials and Methods Blood concentrations of selected VOCs were measured in a sample of adult participants in the Gulf Long-term Follow-up Study (GuLF STUDY) during 2012 and 2013. Complete blood counts with differentials were also performed on a subset of participants (n=406). We used these data together with detailed questionnaire data to estimate adjusted associations between blood BTEXS (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, m/p-xylene, and styrene) concentrations and hematologic parameters using generalized linear models. Results We observed inverse associations between blood benzene concentrations and hemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and a positive association with red cell distribution width among tobacco smoke-unexposed participants (n=146). Among tobacco smoke-exposed participants (n=247), we observed positive associations between blood VOC concentrations and several hematologic parameters, including increased white blood cell and platelet counts, suggestive of hematopoietic stimulation typically associated with tobacco smoke exposure. Most associations were stronger for benzene than for the other VOCs. Conclusions Our results suggest that ambient exposure to BTEXS, particularly benzene, may be associated with hematologic effects, including decreased hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and increased red cell distribution width.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Associations between blood BTEXS concentrations and hematologic parameters among adult residents of the U.S. Gulf States

Doherty

Kwok

Curry

et al. 2017

Environmental Research

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“…This mandatory limit is being used to this day. Nevertheless, several lines of evidence suggest that BTEX can still be found mainly at low concentrations below the standard levels in many workplaces, whether in developed countries or in developing countries [7,8,9,10,11]. Hence, the influence of long-term exposure to low levels of BTEX on human health effects has become an area of considerable research interest.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oxidative Stress and Genotoxicity of Long-Term Occupational Exposure to Low Levels of BTEX in Gas Station Workers

Xiong

Zhou

et al. 2016

IJERPH

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Atmospheric benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) can lead to multiple health injuries. However, what remains uncertain is the effect of long-term exposure to low levels of BTEX. Thus, we determined the BTEX levels in the air from the refueling and office areas in gas stations. Then we collected workers’ (200 refueling vs. 52 office workers) peripheral blood samples to analyze the serum total-superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels. DNA damage was analyzed by the comet assay and micronucleus test in buccal epithelial cells. We found that the levels of BTEX in refueling areas were significantly higher than those in office areas (p < 0.001). The serum T-SOD and GSH of refueling workers were significantly lower than those in office workers (p < 0.001). By contrast, the serum MDA and 8-OHdG of refueling workers were significantly higher than those of office workers (p < 0.001, MDA; p = 0.025, 8-OHdG). Furthermore, tail and Olive tail moments in refueling workers were longer (p = 0.004, tail moment; p = 0.001, Olive tail moment), and the micronucleus rate was higher (p < 0.001) than those in office workers. Taken together, long-term exposure to low levels of BTEX may reduce the antioxidant ability and increase the risk of DNA damage in refueling workers of gas stations.

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“…Even the smaller body weight, less of inhalation, but longer exposure time, BTEX intake of toddlers were believed to be greater than other studied group. Thus, the hazard health risk for this group is thought to be greater.It has been reported thatlong time exposure of toddlers and children to benzene increases the risk childhood leukemia [1], chronic exposure to benzene is associated with decrease in hemoglobin (Hb), platelet count and while blood cell count [15]. Chronic exposure to xylene has been associated with subjective findings of depression, fatigue, headache, and sleep disrobers [1].…”

Section: Health Risk Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preliminary Assessment of Btex Concentrations Indoor and Outdoor Air in Residential Homes in Hanoi, Vietnam

Hà¹

2018

JST

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Indoor air quality is considered to be of great concern due to its adverse impact on the human health nowadays. BTEX concentrations in 29 residential homes including (new/renovated and old) were studied in Hanoi Metropolis and influencing parameters such as smoke habit, cooking appliances, solvent consumption, and ventilation system were considered in this study. Samples were conducted using active diffusion monitors and analyzed by GC/FID. Concentrations of BTEX indoor and outdoor in new/innovated homes were significantly higher than those in old homes. Benzene was used as cancer risk maker, whereas toluene and xylene were used as non-cancer risk marker. Among BTEX compounds, xylene showed the most notable hazard quotient and was the main pollutants responsible for high risk for the toddlers. Benzene showed an upper-bound life time cancer risk that exceeds the US.EPA benmark, presenting moderate risk for the toddlers.

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The relationship between low-level benzene exposure and blood cell counts in Korean workers

Cited by 66 publications

References 26 publications

Associations between blood BTEXS concentrations and hematologic parameters among adult residents of the U.S. Gulf States

Associations between blood BTEXS concentrations and hematologic parameters among adult residents of the U.S. Gulf States

Oxidative Stress and Genotoxicity of Long-Term Occupational Exposure to Low Levels of BTEX in Gas Station Workers

Preliminary Assessment of Btex Concentrations Indoor and Outdoor Air in Residential Homes in Hanoi, Vietnam

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