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Benzene Causes Leukemia
Benzene is a known carcinogen that causes Leukemia and Blood Disorders such as Aplastic
Anemia
Benzene exposure has been linked to all types of Leukemia. However, benzene is believed to cause
the rarer forms including: acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and acute lymphocytic leukemia
(ALL). It has also been linked to lymphoma, and rare blood diseases.
Long term exposure to benzene increases the risks of getting cancer, however cancer linked to
benzene has been discovered in people exposed for less than 5 years. Workers exposed for decades
are at increased risk for these rare forms of leukemia and long-term exposure may also adversely
impact bone marrow and blood production.
Still other workers ,have been diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a group of disorders that prevent
bone marrow from producing all three types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells and
platelets. Aplastic anemia is a very rare disease, affecting fewer than 1,000 people each year in the
United States. Aplastic anemia has no known cause but has been linked to exposure to chemicals
such as benzene and radiation.
All of the leukemias that are associated with benzene exposure are dangerous diseases that affect
the blood and bone marrow.
The four major types of leukemia related to Benzene are:
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) also called chronic myeloid leukemia
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (eLL)
Hairy cell leukemia (HeL)
Scientists have also linked non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkin's disease, multiple myeloma,
myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), aplastic anemia, pancytopenia, cytopenias, myelofibrosis, and
polycythemia vera to Benzene.
Dangers of Benzene and Science
A number of studies and reviews of leukemia and its relationship to Benzene exposure have been
published. Researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Public Health, concluded in
1997 that benzene was linked to many forms of leukemia including acute myelogenous leukemia
AML as well as acute and chronic lymphocytic and myeloid leukemia (Savitz, D., and Andrews,
K.,"Review of Epidemiologic Evidence on Benzene and Lymphatic and Hematopoietic Cancers," Amer. J. Industrial
Health 31:287 -295 (1997).
However, Benzene has a long history in the medicalliterature. As early as the 19208, Benzene was
linked to leukemia in a published study. The American Petroleum Institute noted in the 1940s
benzene caused leukemia noted that any level of exposure to benzene posed certain cancer risks. A
major epidemiologic study conducted in1970s of workers exposed to Benzene showed an increased
risk of leukemia. These scientific studies indicate workers who use solvents are at risk of
developing cancer and blood diseases from exposure to benzene.
More on who is at risk >>
Get Le~al Help I Benzene Causes Leukemia I Acute myelo~enous leukemia ( AML)
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