J Korean Med Sci.  2010 Dec;25(Suppl):S99-S104. 10.3346/jkms.2010.25.S.S99.

Occupational Lymphohematopoietic Cancer in Korea

• Kim EA
• Lee WJ
• Son M
• Kang SK

• KMID: 1714074
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2010.25.S.S99

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to review the existing studies on lymphohematopoietic (LHP) cancer in Korea, estimate the prevalence of workers exposed to carcinogens, and determine the population attributable fraction (PAF) of leukemia. Two case series and 4 case reports were reviewed. Using official statistics, the prevalence of benzene exposure and ionizing radiation exposure was estimated. Based on the prevalence of exposure and the relative risk, The PAF of leukemia was calculated. Between 1996 and 2005, 51 cases of LHP cancer were reported from the compensation system. Greater than 50% of occupational LHP cancer was leukemia, and the most important cause was benzene. In a cohort study, the standardized incidence ratio was 2.71 (95% CI, 0.56-7.91). The prevalence of exposure was 2.5% and 2.2% in 1995 and 2000, respectively. Using the 1995 prevalence, 3.6-4.8% and 0.1% of cases with leukemia were attributable to benzene and ionizing radiation exposure, respectively, which resulted in 39.7-51.4 cases per year. Benzene is the most important cause of occupational leukemia in Korea. Considering the estimated PAF in this study, the annual number of occupational LHP cancer (51 cases during 10-yr period), might be underreported within the compensation system.

Keyword

Occupational Cancer; Lymphohematopoietic; Benzene; Population Attributable Fraction

MeSH Terms

Adult
Benzene/toxicity
Cohort Studies
Female
Humans
Incidence
Leukemia/*chemically induced/*epidemiology
Leukemia, Radiation-Induced/*epidemiology
Male
Middle Aged
Occupational Diseases/*epidemiology/etiology
Occupational Exposure/*adverse effects
Prevalence
Radiation, Ionizing
Republic of Korea/epidemiology
Workers' Compensation

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