Background: occupational exposure to benzene represents a threat for the health of a still relevant number of workers. An increased risk of leukaemias has been demonstrated among exposed workers, while a weaker association has been found for other malignancies.
Objectives: to evaluate mortality risk among workers exposed to benzene across economic sectors in Italy.
Design: proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) were calculated linking exposure occupational information to national mortality statistics (2005-2018), assuming a Poisson distribution of the data.
Setting and participants: data from the Italian national registry on occupational exposure to carcinogens (SIREP) in the period 1996-2018 were selected.
Main outcomes measures: PMRs by cause of death were reported. Specific analyses by cancer site and activity sector, profession, and cumulative exposure were performed.
Results: a total of 858 deaths (97% in men) were identified among 38,704 exposed workers (91% men). An excess of deaths from malignant neoplasm of the lung was found among exposed workers, in both genders (PMR 1.27 in men; PMR 3.00 in women). An increased proportion of deaths was also found from leukaemias (leukaemia of unspecified cell type: PMR in men 2.99; 95%CI 1.24-7.19), and multiple myeloma in the chemical industry (PMR in men 2.27; 95%CI 1.08-4.76).
Conclusions: the risk of leukaemia in the petrochemical industry has been confirmed, while an excess risk of lung cancer mortality was highlighted in the retail sale of automotive fuels. Epidemiological surveillance and air and biological monitoring are recommended for workers exposed to benzene to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and reduce exposure-related deaths.
Keywords: Carcinogenic risk; Italy; Occupational exposure; Proportionate mortality ratio; Surveillance system.