Adverse Health Effects of Benzene Exposure Among Children Following a Flaring Incident at the British Petroleum Refinery in Texas City.
This study examined the health effects of benzene exposure among children from a flaring incident at the British Petroleum (BP) refinery in Texas City, Texas. A total of 899 children (benzene exposed, n = 641 and unexposed, n = 258), aged <17 years, were included. Hematological analysis showed that white blood cell (×10(3)/µL) counts were significantly decreased in the exposed children compared with the unexposed children (7.1 ± 2.2 versus 7.6 ± 2.1, P = .001). Similarly, the hemoglobin (g/dL) levels were decreased significantly in the exposed group compared with the unexposed group (12.7 ± 1.3 vs 13.1 ± 1.5, P = .001). Conversely, platelet (×10(3)/µL) counts were increased significantly in the exposed group compared with the unexposed group (318.6 ± 79.8 versus 266.9 ± 58.8, P = .001). Hepatic enzymes were also significantly elevated among exposed children compared with the unexposed children. These findings suggest that children exposed to benzene are at a higher risk of developing both hepatic and bone marrow-related disorders.
University Cancer and Diagnostic Centers, Houston, TX, USA.
Mark A
MA
D'Andrea
University Cancer and Diagnostic Centers, Houston, TX, USA kreddy_usa@yahoo.com.
G Kesava
GK
Reddy
D000293:Adolescent; D001554:Benzene / Q000633:toxicity*; D002648:Child; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D000066388:Oil and Gas Industry; D013781:Texas
D001554:Benzene
benzene exposure; benzene poisoning; blood disorders; chemical exposure; health impact; hematological toxicity; hepatotoxicity; refinery exposure