Characteristics in the Distribution of Chronic Benzene Poisoning Associated Industries - 6 PLADs, China, 2005-2019

Risks of Leukemia in Various Industrial Groups in Korea: A Retrospective National Cohort Study

It is known that occupational exposure to specific agents is associated with leukemia. However, whether the occupational risks of leukemia differ among various industrial groups remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to elucidate the occupational risks of leukemia among different worker groups by industry. Data for a total of 11,050,398 people from the National Health Insurance System's claim data from 2007 to 2015 were analyzed. By cohort inclusion of workers whose industry had not changed for three years and with total workers as a control group, the risk for a specific industry group was expressed as an age-standardized incidence ratio (SIR). Among groups by industry, 'Manufacture of motor vehicles and engines for motor vehicles', 'Sale of motor vehicle parts and accessories', and 'Personal care services' showed significantly higher SIRs. In division analysis, the 'Manufacture of other machinery and equipment' and 'Waste collection, treatment and disposal activities' divisions showed significantly higher SIRs than other divisions. We identified an increased risk of leukemia in workers of certain industries in Korea. Based on the results of this study, it is necessary to create a policy to protect workers at risk of leukemia. Various additional studies are needed to protect workers by revealing more precise relationships between individual hazardous substances, processes, and leukemia.

Industry Distribution Characteristics of Benzene-Exposed Workers with Cytopenia - Four Provinces, China, 2020

What is already known about this topic?

Benzene is harmful to the hematopoietic system and can cause leukemia. However, benzene is still being used in various industries including furniture, rubber, plastic products, and metal product manufacturing.

What is added by this report?

The white blood cell count of workers in general equipment, special equipment, chemical raw materials, and chemical products manufacturing decreased significantly. The enterprises in which benzene concentration exceeded the occupational exposure limit were small enterprises and private enterprises.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Regular health examinations are necessary for benzene-exposed workers. In addition, the monitoring of benzene concentration in small enterprises and private enterprises should be strengthened.

Occupational health risk assessment methods in China: A scoping review

Background

Over the decades, many assessment methods have been developed around the world and used for occupational health risk assessment (OHRA). This scoping review integrated the literature on methodological studies of OHRA in China and aimed to identifies the research hot-spots and methodological research perspectives on OHRA in China.

Methods

A scoping review of literature was undertaken to explore the research progress on OHRA methods in China. Focusing on OHRA methods, the authors systematically searched Chinese and English databases and relevant guideline websites from the date of establishment to June 30, 2022. Databases included Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, the China National Knowledge Internet, WanFang Database. Some other websites were also searched to obtain gray literature. The extracted information included the author, year, region of first author, the target industry, risk assessment model, study type, the main results and conclusions.

Results

Finally, 145 of 9,081 studies were included in this review. There were 108 applied studies, 30 comparative studies and 7 optimization studies on OHRA in China. The OHRA methods studied included: (1) qualitative methods such as Romanian model, Australian model, International Council on Mining and Metals model, and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Essentials; (2) quantitative methods such as the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency inhalation risk assessment model, Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic, and Monte Carlo simulation; (3) semi-quantitative methods such as Singapore model, Fuzzy mathematical risk assessment model, Likelihood Exposure Consequence method and Occupational Hazard Risk Index assessment method; (4) comprehensive method (Chinese OHRA standard GBZ/T 298-2017). Each of the OHRA methods had its own strengths and limitations. In order to improve the applicability of OHRA methods, some of them have been optimized by researchers.

Conclusions

There is a wide range of OHRA methods studied in China, including applied, comparative, and optimization studies. Their applicability needs to be further tested through further application in different industries. Furthermore, quantitative comparative studies, optimization studies, and modeling studies are also needed.

Industry Distribution Characteristics of Benzene-Induced Leukemia - 7 PLADs, China, 2005-2019

What is already known about this topic?

In the 1980s. benzene-induced leukemia (BIL) mainly occurred in shoemaking and painting industries. Now the industry distribution of benzene-induced leukemia may have changed over time.

What is added by this report?

BlL cases mainly occurred in the manufacturing industry from 2005-2019, especially in private enterprises and small/medium-sized enterprises. The industry with the largest number of new cases of BIL was the general and special equipment manufacturing. The number of leukemia cases in emerging industries such as computer/electronic product manufacturing was found to be increasing.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Strengthening supervision and regulation of manufacturing, especially of small/medium-sized enterprises and emerging manufacturing industry, may be effective in reducing BIL.

The Distribution and Concentration Monitoring of Benzene Industries - Six PLADs, China, 2020

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC?

Benzene is classified as a Class I human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Long-term exposure to benzene increases the risk of chronic benzene poisoning and leukemia. However, benzene is still widely used in the manufacturing industry.

WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT?

The scale of enterprises most exposed to benzene was small enterprises, and joint-equity enterprises had the highest number that exceeded the permissible concentration-time weighted average.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE?

It is still necessary to strengthen the monitoring of benzene concentrations in the manufacturing industry, especially in small enterprises. The occupational exposure limit of benzene should be appropriately reduced.