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Risk of leukemia and multiple myeloma associated with exposure to benzene and other organic solvents: Evidence from the Italian Multicenter Case–control study
Author(s) -
Costantini Adele Seniori,
Benvenuti Alessandra,
Vineis Paolo,
Kriebel David,
Tumino Rosario,
Ramazzotti Valerio,
Rodella Stefania,
Stagnaro Emanuele,
Crosignani Paolo,
Amadori Dino,
Mirabelli Dario,
Sommani Letizia,
Belletti Isabella,
Troschel Loredana,
Romeo Luciano,
Miceli Giuseppe,
Tozzi Giulio Andrea,
Mendico Igino,
Maltoni Simona Alberghini,
Miligi Lucia
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.20592
Subject(s) - medicine , myeloid leukemia , leukemia , population , benzene , multiple myeloma , chronic lymphocytic leukemia , confidence interval , immunology , environmental health , chemistry , organic chemistry
Background While there is a general consensus about the ability of benzene to induce acute myeloid leukemia (AML), its effects on chronic lymphoid leukemia and multiple myeloma (MM) are still under debate. We conducted a population‐based case–control study to evaluate the association between exposure to organic solvents and risk of myeloid and lymphoid leukemia and MM. Methods Five hundred eighty‐six cases of leukemia (and 1,278 population controls), 263 cases of MM (and 1,100 population controls) were collected. Experts assessed exposure at individual level to a range of chemicals. Results We found no association between exposure to any solvent and AML. There were elevated point estimates for the associations between medium/high benzene exposure and chronic lymphatic leukemia (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 0.9–3.9) and MM (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 0.9–3.9). Risks of chronic lymphatic leukemia were somewhat elevated, albeit with wide confidence intervals, from medium/high exposure to xylene and toluene as well. Conclusions We did not confirm the known association between benzene and AML, though this is likely explained by the strict regulation of benzene in Italy nearly three decades prior to study initiation. Our results support the association between benzene, xylene, and toluene and chronic lymphatic leukemia and between benzene and MM with longer latencies than have been observed for AML in other studies. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:803‐811, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.