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A study was conducted on the possible association between myeloid leukemia (ML) and clonal chromosomal aberrations (CCA) in workers exposed to styrene. Altogether, 19 patients with ML were identified from a population of workers in reinforced plastics production and the national cancer register in Denmark. These subjects were matched with 57 referents with no styrene exposures. Measures of exposure were based on the extent of styrene production and high or low probability of direct styrene exposure. The incidence rate ratio for ML with CCA was estimated by logistic regression analysis. Of the 19 subjects, 12 showed CCA; five of these had a specific chromosomal translocation. A 2.5 fold increased risk for ML with CCA was seen for reinforced plastics workers when compared with referent cases. Also, workers employed during the 1960s and for over 10 years since the first work exposure to styrene had higher risk. Based on the results, the authors suggest the possibility of a clastogenic exposure among reinforced plastics workers with ML, for which styrene may be responsible.
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, 22(1):58-61, 1996. (9 references)
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