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A Quantitative Estimate of Leukemia Mortality Associated with Occupational Exposure to Benzene

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  • Mary C. White
  • Peter F. Infante
  • Kenneth C. Chu

Abstract

In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court vacated a revised occupational standard for benzene, stating that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) had failed to demonstrate that significant health risks existed under the current standard. This decision has been interpreted by OSHA as requiring the consideration of quantitative risk assessments, whenever possible, in the development of regulations for occupational carcinogens. In light of this decision, the available epidemiologic evidence was used to generate a quantitative risk assessment for benzene. Uncertainties regarding the levels and lengths of benzene exposure for the studied cohorts were incorporated into the analysis. Based on the one‐hit model, the assessment indicates that a working lifetime exposure to benzene at the current permissible exposure level (10 ppm) poses a substantial excess risk of death from leukemia. This report discusses the calculation of the risk estimates, the basis for relying on certain assumptions, and the inherent limitations of using epidemiologic studies to quantify cancer risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Mary C. White & Peter F. Infante & Kenneth C. Chu, 1982. "A Quantitative Estimate of Leukemia Mortality Associated with Occupational Exposure to Benzene," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 2(3), pages 195-204, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:riskan:v:2:y:1982:i:3:p:195-204
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1539-6924.1982.tb01381.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Mary B. Paxton & Vernon M. Chinchilli & Susan M. Brett & Joseph V. Rodricks, 1994. "Leukemia Risk Associated with Benzene Exposure in the Pliofilm Cohort. II. Risk Estimates," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 14(2), pages 155-161, April.
    2. James N. Rowe & Janet A. Springer, 1986. "Asbestos Lung Cancer Risks: Comparison of Animal and Human Extrapolations," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 6(2), pages 171-180, June.

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