Risk of cancer as a result of community exposure to gasoline vapors

Arch Environ Health. 2004 Oct;59(10):497-503. doi: 10.1080/00039890409605165.

Abstract

The Tranguch Gasoline Spill leaked 50,000-900,000 gallons of gasoline from underground storage tanks, potentially exposing an area of Hazle Township and Hazleton, Pennsylvania, to chronic low levels of benzene since at least 1990. A retrospective cohort study of 663 individuals representing 275 households assessed whether affected residents were at increased risk for cancer from 1990-2000 compared with the Pennsylvania populace. Age-adjusted standard incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated using Pennsylvania rates to determine expected numbers. The age-adjusted SIR for the gasoline-affected area was 4.40 (95% confidence interval: 1.09-10.24) for leukemia. These results suggest an association between living within the area affected by the Tranguch Gasoline Spill and increased risk for leukemia.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Benzene / toxicity*
  • Carcinogens, Environmental / toxicity*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Gasoline / toxicity*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Leukemia / chemically induced*
  • Leukemia / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pennsylvania / epidemiology
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Carcinogens, Environmental
  • Gasoline
  • Benzene