Biomaterial Database

Leukemia in workers exposed to ethylene oxide. 1979

C Hogstedt, and N Malmqvist, and B Wadman

Ethylene oxide, a gaseous sterilant extensively used within health care facilities, is known to be a mutagen in bacteria and in human lymphocytes. The Environmental Protection Agency as well as the National Institue of Occupational Safety and Health have recently stipulated certain conditions for the use of ethylene oxide despite the lack of case reports or epidemiologic studies concerning carcinogenicity. We report three cases of leukemia that occurred between 1972 and 1977 in a relatively small group of Swedish workers exposed to ethylene oxide. According to national statistics, 0.2 cases of leukemia would have been expected. The time-weighted average ethylene oxide concentration was 20+/-10 ppm.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007938	Leukemia	A progressive, malignant disease of the blood-forming organs, characterized by distorted proliferation and development of leukocytes and their precursors in the blood and bone marrow. Leukemias were originally termed acute or chronic based on life expectancy but now are classified according to cellular maturity. Acute leukemias consist of predominately immature cells; chronic leukemias are composed of more mature cells. (From The Merck Manual, 2006)	Leucocythaemia,Leucocythemia,Leucocythaemias,Leucocythemias,Leukemias
D007951	Leukemia, Myeloid	Form of leukemia characterized by an uncontrolled proliferation of the myeloid lineage and their precursors (MYELOID PROGENITOR CELLS) in the bone marrow and other sites.	Granulocytic Leukemia,Leukemia, Granulocytic,Leukemia, Myelocytic,Leukemia, Myelogenous,Myelocytic Leukemia,Myelogenous Leukemia,Myeloid Leukemia,Leukemia, Monocytic, Chronic,Monocytic Leukemia, Chronic,Chronic Monocytic Leukemia,Chronic Monocytic Leukemias,Granulocytic Leukemias,Leukemia, Chronic Monocytic,Leukemias, Chronic Monocytic,Leukemias, Granulocytic,Leukemias, Myelocytic,Leukemias, Myelogenous,Leukemias, Myeloid,Monocytic Leukemias, Chronic,Myelocytic Leukemias,Myelogenous Leukemias,Myeloid Leukemias
D008258	Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia	A lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by pleomorphic B-LYMPHOCYTES including PLASMA CELLS, with increased levels of monoclonal serum IMMUNOGLOBULIN M. There is lymphoplasmacytic cells infiltration into bone marrow and often other tissues, also known as lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. Clinical features include ANEMIA; HEMORRHAGES; and hyperviscosity.	Lymphoma, Lymphoplasmacytoid,Macroglobulinemia,Familial Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinaemia,Lymphoma, Lymphocytic, Plasmacytoid,Primary Macroglobulinemia,Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinaemia,Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia,Familial Waldenstrom Macroglobulinaemia,Familial Waldenstroms Macroglobulinaemia,Lymphomas, Lymphoplasmacytoid,Lymphoplasmacytoid Lymphoma,Lymphoplasmacytoid Lymphomas,Macroglobulinaemia, Familial Waldenstrom's,Macroglobulinaemia, Waldenstrom's,Macroglobulinemia, Primary,Macroglobulinemia, Waldenstrom,Macroglobulinemia, Waldenstrom's,Waldenstrom Macroglobulinaemia,Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinaemia, Familial,Waldenstroms Macroglobulinaemia,Waldenstroms Macroglobulinemia
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D009153	Mutagens	Chemical agents that increase the rate of genetic mutation by interfering with the function of nucleic acids. A clastogen is a specific mutagen that causes breaks in chromosomes.	Clastogen,Clastogens,Genotoxin,Genotoxins,Mutagen
D009784	Occupational Diseases	Diseases caused by factors involved in one's employment.	Diseases, Occupational,Occupational Illnesses,Disease, Occupational,Illnesse, Occupational,Illnesses, Occupational,Occupational Disease,Occupational Illnesse
D004202	Disinfectants	Substances used on inanimate objects that destroy harmful microorganisms or inhibit their activity. Disinfectants are classed as complete, destroying SPORES as well as vegetative forms of microorganisms, or incomplete, destroying only vegetative forms of the organisms. They are distinguished from ANTISEPTICS, which are local anti-infective agents used on humans and other animals. (From Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 11th ed)	Biocide,Disinfectant,Biocides
D005027	Ethylene Oxide	A colorless and flammable gas at room temperature and pressure. Ethylene oxide is a bactericidal, fungicidal, and sporicidal disinfectant. It is effective against most micro-organisms, including viruses. It is used as a fumigant for foodstuffs and textiles and as an agent for the gaseous sterilization of heat-labile pharmaceutical and surgical materials. (From Reynolds, Martindale The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p794)	Oxirane,Oxide, Ethylene
D005260	Female		Females