title: Lymphatic and hematopoietic cancers among benzene-exposed workers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  High benzene exposure is related to acute nonlymphocytic leukemia. Recently, myelodysplastic syndrome has been observed at low benzene exposure levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  We updated a mortality study of workers with benzene exposure examining acute nonlymphocytic leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. We calculated standardized mortality ratios with 95% confidence intervals and examined latency and trends for cumulative exposure levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All leukemias (standardized mortality ratio = 1.21; 95% confidence interval = 0.74 to 1.97) and acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (standardized mortality ratio = 1.04; 95% confidence interval = 0.34 to 2.44) were at expected levels. We observed one death from myelodysplastic syndrome (standardized mortality ratio = 6.48; 95% confidence interval = 0.17 to 38.15). We observed no trend for cumulative exposure levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results for all leukemias are consistent with a small increase in risk observed in the lower-exposed subgroups of the Pliofilm study; however, our results are also consistent with no increased risk especially for acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.
authors: From the Saginaw Valley State University (Dr Collins), University Center; The Dow Chemical Company (Mr Anteau, Mr Bodner, and Dr Bodnar), Midland, Mich; and Maastricht University (Dr Swaen), the Netherlands.
authors: James J
authors: JJ
authors: Collins
authors: Steven E
authors: SE
authors: Anteau
authors: Gerard M H
authors: GM
authors: Swaen
authors: Kenneth M
authors: KM
authors: Bodner
authors: Catherine M
authors: CM
authors: Bodnar
mesh_terms: D001554:Benzene / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D002423:Cause of Death; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000401:mortality*; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000401:mortality; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000401:mortality*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000401:mortality*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D001554:Benzene