Appendix D - Dossier (PDF) - Tera

date: 20–JUL–2005
5. Toxicity Substance ID: 71–43–2
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Type: other: epidemiological data
Result: No statistically significant clusters of birth defects were
found in populations living around the Drake Superfund site
(Pennsylvania, USA), an area contaminated with benzene and
other carcinogens (Budnick et al. 1984). However, the
significance of this finding cannot be determined because of
design methodology inadequacies including inadequate sample
size and lack of quantification of exposure levels.
Source: German rapporteur
Flag: Risk Assessment
17–JUN–2005 (168)
Type: other: epidemiological data
Result: In a study of subjects with known benzene exposure Forni et
al. (1971) reported the case of a pregnant worker exposed to
benzene in the air throughout the entire pregnancy. Although
the woman had severe pancytopenia and an increased frequency
of chromosomal aberrations, a healthy boy was delivered with
no evidence of developmental effects and with no evidence of
chromosomal alterations. In the following year a healthy girl
was delivered.
Source: German rapporteur
Flag: Risk Assessment
17–JUN–2005 (367)
Type: other: epidemiological data
Result: Increased frequencies of chromosome breaks and of sister
chromatid exchange were found in lymphocytes from 14 children
of female workers exposed by inhalation to benzene and other
organic solvents (doses not specified) during pregnancy
(Funes–Cravioto et al. 1977). No mention was made for the
reasons of this investigation nor of whether the mothers
showed signs of toxicity or whether physical abnormalities
occurred among their offspring.
Source: German rapporteur
Flag: Risk Assessment
17–JUN–2005 (383)
Type: other: transplacental transfer
Result: One toxicokinetic study showed that benzene crosses the human
placenta and is present in the cord blood in amounts equal to
or greater than those in maternal blood (Dowty et al. 1976).
Source: German rapporteur
17–JUN–2005 (309)
Appendix D: Benzene SIDS Dossier
– 607/957 –