Appendix D - Dossier (PDF) - Tera

date: 20–JUL–2005
5. Toxicity Substance ID: 71–43–2
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periods, specific age and sex groups of the Benzene
Subregistry population reported more adverse health
outcomes
when compared with the NHIS population, including anemia
and
other blood disorders, ulcers, gall bladder trouble, and
stomach or intestinal problems, stroke, urinary tract
disorders, skin rashes, diabetes, kidney disease, and
respiratory allergies. Statistically significant deficits
for the Benzene Subregistry population overall were found
for asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis; arthritis,
rheumatism, or other joint disorders; hearing impairment;
and speech impairment. No statistically significant
differences between the two populations were seen for the
outcomes hypertension; liver disease; mental retardation;
or
cancer. These results do not identify a causal relationship
between benzene exposure and adverse health effects;
however, they do reinforce the need for continued followup
of registrants.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This is a cross–sectional survey of
self–reported health outcomes for 1143 individuals (1127
alive at interview, 573 males) living near a hazardous
waste
site in Texas. All residents of the Three Lakes Municipal
Utility District were targeted for inclusion, because
benzene had been found in their groundwater (source of
drinking water) at up to 66 ppb. All individuals were
considered to be chronically exposed to benzene. No
individual measurements were available and no questions
relating to exposure modification (i.e water intake) appear
to have been asked. Prior to the start of the study,
extensive outreach was performed, including advanced
publicity regarding the exposure and its health effects.
Response rates were high, with more than 90% of contacted
individuals being interviewed. All health outcomes were
self–reported and were considered physician confirmed if
the
subject reported that a physician had told them the
diagnosis. Physician confirmation was actually only
attempted for cancer, and only 14 of 53 self–reported
cancers were evaluated. Only 4 of the 14 self–reported
cancer cases were reported correctly. Multiple comparisons
were performed on subjects grouped by age, sex, and
outcome.
Cancer analyses were based only on the 6 cancer deaths that
had been correctly reported (out of 10 cancer deaths
reported). Biological plausibility was inferred if any
laboratory or epidemiological study suggested any impact on
the organs of interest, regardless of the dose.
The National Exposure Registry: analyses of health outcomes
from the benzene subregistry.
Source: EXXON Biomedical Sciences East Millstone, NJ
Reliability: (3) invalid
03–NOV–1998 (169)
Appendix D: Benzene SIDS Dossier
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