Comments |
A sentinel health event (occupational) associated with exposure to TNT, benzene, and ionizing radiation; [Mullan] Reported causes of aplastic anemia in the occupational setting include benzene, TNT, lindane, pentachlorophenol, DDT, arsenic, ethylene glycol monomethyl or monobutyl ether. [LaDou, p. 220] The known environmental causes of aplastic anemia are trinitrotoluene, dinitrotoluene, benzene, lindane, ionizing radiation, arsenic, and alkylating agents. Suspected causes are dioxin, chlordane, DDT, ethylene glycol ethers, paradichlorobenzene, and pentachlorophenol. [Rosenstock, p. 465t] The OSHA benzene standard requires air monitoring and medical surveillance when workers are exposed above the action level of 0.5 ppm 30 or more days per year. Workers may be exposed to benzene in chemical, shoe, pesticide, detergent, plastic, and rubber manufacturing. The standard applies to workers who repair or maintain gasoline or jet fuel tanks and also to workers who refine petroleum, dispense gasoline indoors, and operate bulk storage facilities that lack vapor control systems. |