Benzene Exposure Linked to Blood Changes
"Blood changes, including a steep decline in disease-fighting white cells, have been found in workers persistently exposed to low levels of benzene, a common industrial chemical known to pose a leukemia risk at high concentrations.
Researchers reported Thursday in the journal Science that workers in a Chinese shoe factory exposed to less than one part per million of benzene experienced a significant decline of white cells and found their blood-forming cells were less vigorous than normal.
U.S. occupational guidelines limit benzene exposure to one part per million, but the study found changes in the blood from lower exposure."
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041203/ap_on_he_me/benzene_exposure
I'm not surprised. Alligators in Florida are thought to suffer from major sexual development problems because of exposure to chemicals at mere parts per trillion levels.
Researchers reported Thursday in the journal Science that workers in a Chinese shoe factory exposed to less than one part per million of benzene experienced a significant decline of white cells and found their blood-forming cells were less vigorous than normal.
U.S. occupational guidelines limit benzene exposure to one part per million, but the study found changes in the blood from lower exposure."
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041203/ap_on_he_me/benzene_exposure
I'm not surprised. Alligators in Florida are thought to suffer from major sexual development problems because of exposure to chemicals at mere parts per trillion levels.