The Contribution of Benzene to Smoking-Induced Leukemia
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Mark R. Schulz, Assistant Professor (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Abstract: Cigarette smoking is associated with an increased risk of leukemia; benzene, an established leukemogen,
is present in cigarette smoke. By combining epidemiologic data on the health effects of
smoking with risk assessment techniques for low-dose extrapolation, we assessed the proportion of
smoking-induced total leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) attributable to the benzene in
cigarette smoke. We fit both linear and quadratic models to data from two benzene-exposed occupational
cohorts to estimate the leukemogenic potency of benzene. Using multiple-decrement life
tables, we calculated lifetime risks of total leukemia and AML deaths for never, light, and heavy
smokers. We repeated these calculations, removing the effect of benzene in cigarettes based on the
estimated potencies. From these life tables we determined smoking-attributable risks and benzene attributable
risks. The ratio of the latter to the former constitutes the proportion of smoking induced
cases attributable to benzene. Based on linear potency models, the benzene in cigarette
smoke contributed from 8 to 48% of smoking-induced total leukemia deaths [95% upper confidence
limit (UCL), 20-66%], and from 12 to 58% of smoking-induced AML deaths (95% UCL,
19-121%). The inclusion of a quadratic term yielded results that were comparable; however,
potency models with only quadratic terms resulted in much lower attributable fractions-all < 1 %.
Thus, benzene is estimated to be responsible for approximately one-tenth to one-half of smoking induced
total leukemia mortality and up to three-fifths of smoking-related AML mortality. In contrast
to theoretical arguments that linear models substantially overestimate low-dose risk, linear
extrapolations from empirical data over a dose range of 10- to 100-fold resulted in plausible predictions.
The Contribution of Benzene to Smoking-Induced Leukemia
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Created on 1/1/2000
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Korte, J. E., Hertz-Picciotto, I., Schulz, M. R. , Ball, L. M. , & Duell, E. J. (2000) The contribution of benzene to smoking-induced leukemia. Environmental Health Perspectives 108, 333-339
- Language: English
- Date: 2000
- Keywords
- benzene, environmental exposure, epidemiology, leukemia, life tables, occupational
exposure, risk assessment, smoking