Benzene and hematopoietic malignancies.

In certain countries outside of the United States, benzene remains a significant occupational hazard. This article provides a brief historical perspective of benzene use and general aspects of benzene toxicology, focusing primarily on benzene-induced hematotoxicity and leukemogenesis. Although the causal relationship between benzene and acute myelogenous leukemia is unequivocal, there has been considerable debate regarding the potential role of benzene exposure in the development of other hematopoietic malignancies, including chronic myelogenous leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. The relationship between benzene and these other diseases also is discussed briefly.