Benzene and Leukemia Information

Benzene Leukemia Exposure

Benzene exposure has been linked in numerous studies to causing leukemia. Exposure to benzene and the development of leukemia or benzene related leukemia have been highly publicized over the recent years. Statistcs are showing that there are approximatly, 10,000 benzene related leukemia deaths per year in the US alone.

Benzene Information

Benzene is a known carcinogen in humans and causes benzene related cancer. Breathing benzene vapors may cause immediate death and other exposures to the chemical have been linked to various forms of leukemia, most notably Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML).

Interesting Benzene Leukemia Facts

1. The use of benzene as a solvent was banned in the United States more then 20 years ago.

2. Benzene ranks # 6 on the CERCLA Hazerdous Substance List.

3. Almost 300,000 people per year are exposed to benzene in the workplace.

Benzene Leukemia Side Effects

Acute Benzene Side Effects

Acute (short-term) exposure will commonly be associated with the following benzene side effects:

1. Irritation of the eyes and skin
2. Irritation of the nose and throat
3. Dizziness and lightheadedness
4. Headache and vomiting
5. Convulsions and coma
6. Rapid heart beat
7. Sudden death

Chronic Benzene Side Effects

Chronic (long-term) exposure will commonly be associated with the following benzene side effects:

1. Benzene Cancer
2. Leukemia, most notably Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
3. Reproductive harm (teratogen - an agent that can cause malformations of an embryo or fetus)
4. Drying and scaling of the skin
5. Damage to blood cells? aplastic anemia

Is there a medical test to show whether I have been exposed to benzene?

Several tests can show if you have been exposed to benzene. There is test for measuring benzene in the breath; this test must be done shortly after exposure. Benzene can also be measured in the blood, however, since benzene disappears rapidly from the blood, measurements are accurate only for recent exposures.

In the body, benzene is converted to products called metabolites. Certain metabolites can be measured in the urine. However, this test must be done shortly after exposure and is not a reliable indicator of how much benzene you have been exposed to, since the metabolites may be present in urine from other sources.

Other Benzene Leukemia Resources

If you or a family member have been diagnosed with benzene related leukemia there are many helpful resources on the Internet. Most notably, The Leukemia Society and The Benzene Leukemia Orginization.

http://www.leukemia.org
http://www.benzene-leukemia.org