Benzene exposure and hematopoietic mortality: A long-term epidemiologic risk assessment

Previous studies of a cohort of rubber hydrochloride workers indicated an association between benzene exposure and excess mortality from leukemia and multiple myeloma. To determine whether risks remain elevated with increasing time since plant shutdown, we extended follow-up from 1981 through 1996.

We evaluated risk using standardized mortality ratios (SMR) and generalized Cox proportional hazards regression models.

Five new leukemia cases were observed in benzene-exposed white males, but the summary SMR for this group declined from 3.37 (95% CI = 1.54-6.41) to 2.56 (95% CI = 1.43-4.22). In regression models, cumulative exposure was significantly associated with elevated relative risks for leukemia mortality. Four new multiple myeloma deaths occurred, three of which were in workers judged to be unexposed.

These findings reaffirm the leukemogenic effects of benzene exposure and suggest that excess risk diminishes with time.