Burg J R, Gist G L
Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Public Health Service, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Toxicol Ind Health. 1998 May-Jun;14(3):367-87. doi: 10.1177/074823379801400301.
The purpose of the National Exposure Registry is to assess the long-term health consequences to a general population from long-term, low-level exposures to specific substances in the environment. This study investigates the health outcomes of 1,143 persons (1,127 living, 16 deceased) living in south central Texas who had documented environmental exposure to benzene (up to 66ppb) in tap water. As with all subregistries, face-to-face interviews were used to collect self-reported information for 25 general health status questions. Using computer-assisted telephone interviewing, the same health questions were asked 1 year (Followup 1, F1) and 2 years later (Followup 2, F2). The health outcome rates for Baseline and Followup 1 and 2 data collections for the Benzene Subregistry were compared with national norms, that is, the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) rates. For at least one of the three reporting periods, specific age and sex groups of the Benzene Subregistry population reported more adverse health outcomes when compared with the NHIS population, including anemia and other blood disorders, ulcers, gall bladder trouble, and stomach or intestinal problems, stroke, urinary tract disorders, skin rashes, diabetes, kidney disease, and respiratory allergies. Statistically significant deficits for the Benzene Subregistry population overall were found for asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis; arthritis, rheumatism, or other joint disorders; hearing impairment; and speech impairment. No statistically significant differences between the two populations were seen for the outcomes hypertension; liver disease; mental retardation; or cancer. These results do not identify a causal relationship between benzene exposure and adverse health effects; however, they do reinforce the need for continued followup of registrants.
国家暴露登记处的目的是评估普通人群因长期低水平接触环境中的特定物质而产生的长期健康后果。本研究调查了居住在得克萨斯州中南部的1143人（1127人在世，16人已故）的健康状况，这些人的自来水中有记录显示存在苯暴露（最高66ppb）。与所有子登记处一样，通过面对面访谈收集了关于25个一般健康状况问题的自我报告信息。使用计算机辅助电话访谈，在1年后（随访1，F1）和2年后（随访2，F2）询问了相同的健康问题。将苯子登记处基线以及随访1和2数据收集的健康结果率与国家规范进行了比较，即与国家健康访谈调查（NHIS）率进行了比较。在三个报告期的至少一个时期内，与NHIS人群相比，苯子登记处人群的特定年龄和性别组报告了更多的不良健康结果，包括贫血和其他血液疾病、溃疡、胆囊问题以及胃或肠道问题、中风、泌尿系统疾病、皮疹、糖尿病、肾脏疾病和呼吸道过敏。总体而言，发现苯子登记处人群在哮喘、肺气肿或慢性支气管炎；关节炎、风湿病或其他关节疾病；听力障碍；以及言语障碍方面存在统计学上的显著不足。在高血压、肝病、智力迟钝或癌症的结果方面，未发现这两个人群之间存在统计学上的显著差异。这些结果并未确定苯暴露与不良健康影响之间的因果关系；然而，它们确实强化了对登记人员持续随访的必要性。
