Hematotoxicity and Occupational Exposure to Benzene

Benzene is a volatile organic compound widely employed in chemical manufacturing, refining and various industrial processes. Chronic occupational exposure to benzene poses a well-established risk to the haematopoietic system. Initial effects include suppression of bone marrow activity, manifested by declines in circulating red and white blood cells and platelets, progressing in severe cases to aplastic anaemia. Long-term exposure carries a heightened risk of haematological malignancies, particularly acute myeloid leukaemia, through mechanisms involving metabolic activation of benzene to phenolic and quinonoid species, generation of reactive oxygen species and subsequent damage to proteins, DNA and chromosomal integrity. Recent advances have elucidated key molecular pathways by which benzene metabolites perturb the balance between programmed cell survival and death, disrupt lipid metabolism in haematopoietic cells and induce global changes in gene expression. Occupational health strategies focus on robust exposure assessment, biological monitoring of surrogate biomarkers and implementation of engineering controls and personal protection to limit inhalation and dermal uptake. The global significance of benzene toxicity is underscored by its continued use in emerging industrial settings, necessitating updated exposure limits and surveillance programmes to prevent both acute haematotoxic events and long-term neoplastic outcomes.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

Hematotoxicity and Occupational Exposure to Benzene publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in hematotoxicity and occupational exposure to benzene across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Hematotoxicity: Damage to blood-forming tissues resulting in reduced production or function of blood cells.

Autophagy: Cellular process by which cytoplasmic components are sequestered in lysosomes for degradation and recycling.

Apoptosis: Programmed cell death characterised by organised cellular disassembly and removal without provoking inflammation.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Highly reactive oxygen-containing molecules capable of inducing oxidative damage to biomolecules.

Biomarker: A measurable indicator of a biological state or condition used for exposure or effect monitoring.

References

1. Occupational benzene exposure and colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Environmental Research (2024).
2. The crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis was mediated by phosphorylation of Bcl-2 and beclin1 in benzene-induced hematotoxicity. Cell Death & Disease (2019).
3. An overview of benzene metabolism.. Environmental Health Perspectives (1996).
4. Global Gene Expression Profiling of a Population Exposed to a Range of Benzene Levels. Environmental Health Perspectives (2010).
5. Benzene Exposure Alters Expression of Enzymes Involved in Fatty Acid β-Oxidation in Male C3H/He Mice. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2016).