Long-term exposure to low concentrations of ambient benzene and mortality in a national English cohort

Wang, J; Ma, Y; Tang, L; Li, D; Xie, J; Sun, Y; Tian, Y

Journal article

Long-term exposure to low concentrations of ambient benzene and mortality in a national English cohort

Abstract:: Background: Benzene affects human health through environmental exposure in addition to occupational contact. However, few studies have examined the associations between long-term exposure to low concentrations of ambient benzene and mortality risks in nonoccupational settings.

Methods: This prospective cohort study consists of 393,042 participants without stroke, myocardial infarction, or cancer at baseline from the UK Biobank. Annual average concentrations of benzene for each year during follow-up were measured using air dispersion models. The main outcomes were all-cause mortality and mortality from specific causes. Cox proportional-hazards models with time-varying exposure measurements were used to estimate the hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for mortality risks. Restricted cubic spline models were used to estimate exposure–response relationships.

Measurements and Main Results: With each interquartile range increase in the average annual concentration of benzene, the adjusted hazard ratios of mortality risk from all causes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory disease were 1.26 (95% CI, 1.24–1.27), 1.24 (95% CI, 1.21–1.28), 1.27 (95% CI, 1.25–1.29), and 1.25 (95% CI, 1.20–1.30), respectively. The monotonically increasing exposure–response curves showed no threshold and plateau within the observed concentration range. Furthermore, the effect of benzene exposure on mortality persisted across different subgroups and was somewhat stronger in younger and White people (P for interaction < 0.05).

Conclusions: Long-term exposure to low concentrations of ambient benzene significantly increases mortality risk in the general population. Ambient benzene represents a potential threat to public health, and further investigations are needed to support timely pollution regulation and health protection.

Publication status:: Published

Peer review status:: Peer reviewed

Actions

Email

Email this record

Send the bibliographic details of this record to your email address.

Your Email
Please enter the email address that the record information will be sent to.

-
Your message (optional)
Please add any additional information to be included within the email.
Share
Cite

Cite this record

APA Style

Wang, J., Ma, Y., Tang, L., Li, D., Xie, J., Sun, Y., & Tian, Y. (2024). Long-term exposure to low concentrations of ambient benzene and mortality in a national English cohort. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 209(8), 987–994.

MLA Style

Wang, J, et al. “Long-Term Exposure to Low Concentrations of Ambient Benzene and Mortality in a National English Cohort.” American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, vol. 209, no. 8, 2024, pp. 987–94.

Chicago Style

Wang, J, Y Ma, L Tang, et al. 2024. “Long-Term Exposure to Low Concentrations of Ambient Benzene and Mortality in a National English Cohort.” American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 209 (8): 987–94.
Print