title: The National Exposure Registry: analyses of health outcomes from the benzene subregistry.
abstract: The purpose of the National Exposure Registry is to assess the long-term health consequences to a general population from long-term, low-level exposures to specific substances in the environment. This study investigates the health outcomes of 1,143 persons (1,127 living, 16 deceased) living in south central Texas who had documented environmental exposure to benzene (up to 66ppb) in tap water. As with all subregistries, face-to-face interviews were used to collect self-reported information for 25 general health status questions. Using computer-assisted telephone interviewing, the same health questions were asked 1 year (Followup 1, F1) and 2 years later (Followup 2, F2). The health outcome rates for Baseline and Followup 1 and 2 data collections for the Benzene Subregistry were compared with national norms, that is, the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) rates. For at least one of the three reporting periods, specific age and sex groups of the Benzene Subregistry population reported more adverse health outcomes when compared with the NHIS population, including anemia and other blood disorders, ulcers, gall bladder trouble, and stomach or intestinal problems, stroke, urinary tract disorders, skin rashes, diabetes, kidney disease, and respiratory allergies. Statistically significant deficits for the Benzene Subregistry population overall were found for asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis; arthritis, rheumatism, or other joint disorders; hearing impairment; and speech impairment. No statistically significant differences between the two populations were seen for the outcomes hypertension; liver disease; mental retardation; or cancer. These results do not identify a causal relationship between benzene exposure and adverse health effects; however, they do reinforce the need for continued followup of registrants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Public Health Service, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. jrb@cdc.gov
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Burg
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Gist
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001554:Benzene / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003710:Demography; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000139:chemically induced; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004782:Environmental Health; D005260:Female; D052776:Female Urogenital Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D052801:Male Urogenital Diseases; D008875:Middle Aged; D012042:Registries; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000139:chemically induced; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D013781:Texas; D014481:United States; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D001554:Benzene