Appendix D - Dossier (PDF) - Tera

date: 20–JUL–2005
5. Toxicity Substance ID: 71–43–2
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Endpoint: other: myelodysplastic syndrome
Remark: This case report centres on a 45 yr old man with
myelodysplastic syndrome who started work at a petrochemical
plant in Taiwan in 1977 where his duties involved charging a
chemical reactor wih benzene.
Routine haematological parameters were collected each year
revealed anemia, leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia since
May 1994. He was referred for hospital investigation in
1996. Analysis of bone marow aspirates showed he had
myelodysplastic syndrome.
The patient was discharged from hospital and stopped working
with benzene. Pancytopenia, weakness, fatigue dizziness,
palpitation and excessive bleeding persisted.
Although the authors note that other substances have the
potential to cause bone marrow toxicity, no information on
potentially confounding co–exposures is presented in the
paper. Apart from presenting longitudinal haematological
data from one subject, it contains little information
helpful to risk assessment.
Source: A.K. Mallett Surrey
18–MAR–2002 (193)
Endpoint: other: glutathione transferase activity in
"benzene–induced leukemia" patients.
Remark: Chinese language article, translation unavailable:
Although the title refers to patients with "benzene–induced
leukemia", the abstract provides no details on the causal
basis of this diagnosis.
"Serum glutathione S–transferases (GSTase) activity was
determined in benzene–induced leukemia patients, leukemia
patients and control subjects by KMSL method. GSTase
activity in benzene–induced leukemia patients was markedly
lower than that in leukemia patients and healthy controls.
GSTase activity in benzene–induced leukemia was
significantly lower than that in leukemia group and control
group, and GSTase activity in leukemia group was lower than
that of the controls. GST.mu.gene deletion is an important
factor affecting GSTase activity. The results show that the
change in GSTase activity was an important factor in
leukemia induction by benzene exposure, and GST.mu.gene
deletion may be an important factor affecting the GSTase
activities."
Source: A.K. Mallett Surrey
04–MAR–2003 (685)
Appendix D: Benzene SIDS Dossier
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