New Study Links Benzene to Fatal Illnesses
According to a recent study out of Italy, there is new evidence that exposure to benzene can not only increase people’s risk of leukemia, but it’s also linked to multiple myeloma. For years, benzene, which is a toxic chemical that is commonly used as an additive in gasoline, in the production of synthetic rubbers and sodas, has been linked to leukemia and aplastic anemia. However, researchers are now finding that benzene is the cause if other illness as well.
The study was conducted by Dr. Adele Seniori Constantini from the Center for Study and Prevention of Cancer, along with some of her colleagues. The researchers reportedly found that benzene can cause an increased risk of chronic lymphoid leukemia as well multiple myeloma. Two other chemicals, xylene and toluene were also linked with exposure to benzene.
Study Reveals New Findings
Although Constantini has revealed the results from the new study, benzene’s link with multiple myeloma are reportedly still under debate. In order to investigate the results of benzene exposure, the team of researchers identified all known cases of blood and lymphatic cancers in people ages 20 to 74 in 11 different parts of Italy.
They also looked at 586 cases of leukemia found in seven of the regions and compared chemical exposures for individuals who were sick and to those based on occupation.
The study found that medium to high levels of benzene exposure nearly doubled the risk of these two blood cancers. The more intense levels of exposure were to participants and the longer it lasted, the greater the risk that they would develop a life altering illness.
"Our results, even if based on small numbers, are in agreement with the hypothesis that acute myeloid leukemia risk following benzene exposure declines in time while chronic lymphoid leukemia and multiple myeloma risks are seen over a longer latency period,” claims the research team.
