A review of the potential association between childhood leukemia and benzene

作者：Pyatt David^*; Hays Sean

来源：Chemico-Biological Interactions, 2010, 184(1-2): 151-164.

DOI：10.1016/j.cbi.2010.01.002

• Benzene
• Childhood leukemia
• Epidemiology
• Review

Chronic exposure to high concentrations of benzene is an established cause of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in occupationally exposed workers. Based on this association, it is not unreasonable to assume that children could also get AML if they were exposed to comparable levels of benzene. Fortunately, reports of such exposures and subsequent AML development in children are non-existent. However, the question of whether children can develop leukemia at far lower, environmental levels of benzene remains. The existing scientific evidence relevant to this question will be addressed in this review. While positive findings have been reported, the collective literature does not indicate that exposure to environmental levels of benzene is related to an increased risk of childhood leukemia. Our understanding of this important issue would be strengthened by additional studies that accurately characterize exposures as well as differentiate between the various forms of leukemias observed in children.

• 出版日期2010-3-19