Objective: To study the relationship between low benzene exposure doses with workers' peripheral blood parameters of different similar exposure groups (SEG).
Methods: The workers were from a shoe factory and divided into different SEG, according to the observation method and sampling method. Exposure levels, blood samples and job histories were collected. The relationship between benzene level and blood routine were analyzed using multiple regression method.
Results: Five SEGs were defined. No significant differences were found among different SEG in length of service, smoking, drinking, blood routine and symptoms except for ages. Significant negative correlation (r = -0.36, P < 0.05) between benzene exposure levels and white blood cell counts were found by multiple regression analysis. Similar negative correlation was also found between length of benzene exposure and red blood cell counts (r = -0.29, P < 0.05). No significantly statistical relationships were found between benzene exposure and red blood cell counts or platelet count.
Conclusion: SEGs method is sensitive for determining the relationship between benzene exposure levels and white blood cell counts. Further study is needed by increasing the number of workers to study the relationship between low benzene exposure and peripheral blood parameters.