Hematological effects of benzene in the petroleum industry

  • Authors

    • Yen-Hsiung Liao Kaohsiung Medical University
    2015-03-17
    https://doi.org/10.14419/ijh.v3i1.4339
  • Hematological Changes, Benzene, Eosinophil.
  • Abstract

    Purpose: To follow up the hematological changes in petroleum workers with continuous exposure to benzene.

    Approach: The hematological data of two petroleum company male employees was obtained from the annual health check-ups during 2001 to 2005. Workers were classified into exposed and unexposed groups on the basis of their exposure operation performed, and the industrial hygiene surveys.

    Results: There was not any difference between the exposed and the unexposed groups in the frequency of abnormalities with CBC differential and WBC differential almost. The frequency of higher than the normal range with eosinophils was significantly higher in exposed group (31.73%) than in unexposed group (11.54%, p < 0.05) in 1994, only.

    Conclusion: The study suggested that the eosinophil counts could be a hematological effect maker among workers exposed to benzene in the petroleum industry.

  • References

    1. [1] Costantini AS, Quinn M, Consonni D, & Zappa M (2003). Exposure to benzene and risk of leukemia among shoe factory workers. Scan J Work Environ Health 29, 51 – 59. http://dx.doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.704.

      [2] Duarte-Davidson R, Courage C, Rushton L, & Levy L (2001). Benzene in the environment: an assessment of the potential risks to the health of the population. Occup Environ Med 58, 2 -13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/oem.58.1.2.

      [3] Ert LA & Rhoads CP (1939). The hematological effects of benzene poisoning. J indust Hyg Toxicol 21, 421 – 435.

      [4] Fishbeck WA, Towmsend JC, & Swank MG (1978). Effects of chronic occupational exposure to measured concentrations of benzene. Journal of Occupational Medicine 20, 539 – 542. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00043764-197808000-00005.

      [5] Gallin JL. Disorders of phagocytic cells. In: Wilson JD, Brannwald E, Petersdorf RG, MartinJB, Fauci AS, Root RK, eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 12th Ed. New York: McGraw Hill; 1991:463.

      [6] Hogan SP, Rosenberg HF, Moqbel R, Phipps S, Foster PS, Lacy P, Kay AB, & Rothenberg ME (2008). Eosinophils: Biological properties and role in health and Disease. Clinical & Experimental Allergy 38, 709 – 750. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2222.2008.02958.x.

      [7] Khuder SA, Youngdale MC, Bisesi MS, & Schaub EA (1999). Assessment of complete blood count variations among workers exposed to low levels of benzene. JOEM 41, 821 – 826.

      [8] Kipen HM, Cody RP, & Goldstein BD (1989). Use of longitudinal analysis of peripheral blood counts to validate historical reconstructions of benzene exposure. Environmental Health Perspectives 82, 199 – 206. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.8982199.

      [9] Kruse A, Uehlinger DE, Gotch F. Kotanko P, & Levin NW. Red blood cell lifespan, erythropoiesis and hemoglobin control. Contrib Nephrol. 161:247-254. http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000130698.

      [10] Rothaman N, Smith MT, Hayes RB, Li GL, Irons RD, Dosemeci M, Haas R, Stillman WS, Linet M, Xi L, Bechtold WE, Wiemels J, Campleman S, Zhang L, Quintana P JE, Titenko-Holland N, Wang YZ, Lu W, Kolachana P, Meyer K, & Yin S (1996). An epidemiologyic study of early biologic effects of benzene in Chinese workers. Environmental Health Perspectives 104 S6, 1365 – 1368. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.961041365.

      [11] Thorpe JJ (1974). Epidemiologic survey of leukemia in persons potentially exposed to benzene. J Occup Med 16, 375 – 382.

      [12] Ward E, Hornung R, Morris J, Rinsky R, Wild D, Halperin W, & Guthrie W (1996). Risk of low red or white blood cell count related to estimated benzene exposure in a rubberworker cohort (1940 – 1975). American Journal of Industrial Medicine 29, 247 -257. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0274(199603)29:3<247::AID-AJIM4>3.0.CO;2-N.

  • Downloads

  • How to Cite

    Liao, Y.-H. (2015). Hematological effects of benzene in the petroleum industry. International Journal of Health, 3(1), 1-2. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijh.v3i1.4339

    Received date: 2015-02-12

    Accepted date: 2015-03-09

    Published date: 2015-03-17