Kenneth D Rosenman1, Mary Jo Reilly. 1. Department of Medicine, Michigan State University, 117 West Fee Hall, East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1316, USA. Rosenman@msu.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Benzidine is classified as a definite human carcinogen and dichlorobenzidine as a probable human carcinogen. METHODS: A cohort study of 538 workers potentially exposed to benzidine and/or dichlorobenzidine from a single chemical manufacturing facility was conducted. Social Security records were used to identify all employees who worked at the facility from 1960 to 1977. Vital status was determined through 2001 and cancer incidence through 2002. RESULTS: A total of 22 bladder cancer cases were identified. For three individuals, bladder cancer was the underlying cause of death. Increased standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were found for all cancer 1.54 (95% CI 1.04-2.19), bladder cancer 8.34 (95% CI 1.72-24.78), and lymphohematopoietic cancer 2.84 (95% CI 1.04-6.18). The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for bladder cancer was 6.85 (95% CI 4.30-10.4). Only one case of bladder cancer was identified among the workers who were exposed to dichlorobenzidine only. However, an increased risk for lymphohematopoietic cancer was found among these dichlorobenzidine only workers (SMR 6.62 (95% CI 1.37-19.36)). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the high risk of bladder cancer among benzidine exposed workers even years after exposure has ceased, and raises suggestive evidence of increased risk to lymphohematopoietic cancer from exposure to benzidine or dichlorobenzidine. Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
BACKGROUND:Benzidine is classified as a definite human carcinogen and dichlorobenzidine as a probable human carcinogen. METHODS: A cohort study of 538 workers potentially exposed to benzidine and/or dichlorobenzidine from a single chemical manufacturing facility was conducted. Social Security records were used to identify all employees who worked at the facility from 1960 to 1977. Vital status was determined through 2001 and cancer incidence through 2002. RESULTS: A total of 22 bladder cancer cases were identified. For three individuals, bladder cancer was the underlying cause of death. Increased standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were found for all cancer 1.54 (95% CI 1.04-2.19), bladder cancer 8.34 (95% CI 1.72-24.78), and lymphohematopoietic cancer 2.84 (95% CI 1.04-6.18). The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for bladder cancer was 6.85 (95% CI 4.30-10.4). Only one case of bladder cancer was identified among the workers who were exposed to dichlorobenzidine only. However, an increased risk for lymphohematopoietic cancer was found among these dichlorobenzidine only workers (SMR 6.62 (95% CI 1.37-19.36)). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the high risk of bladder cancer among benzidine exposed workers even years after exposure has ceased, and raises suggestive evidence of increased risk to lymphohematopoietic cancer from exposure to benzidine or dichlorobenzidine. Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Authors: Andrea 't Mannetje; Anneclaire J De Roos; Paolo Boffetta; Roel Vermeulen; Geza Benke; Lin Fritschi; Paul Brennan; Lenka Foretova; Marc Maynadié; Nikolaus Becker; Alexandra Nieters; Anthony Staines; Marcello Campagna; Brian Chiu; Jacqueline Clavel; Silvia de Sanjose; Patricia Hartge; Elizabeth A Holly; Paige Bracci; Martha S Linet; Alain Monnereau; Laurent Orsi; Mark P Purdue; Nathaniel Rothman; Qing Lan; Eleanor Kane; Adele Seniori Costantini; Lucia Miligi; John J Spinelli; Tongzhang Zheng; Pierluigi Cocco; Anne Kricker Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2015-09-04 Impact factor: 9.031