Unit V Literature Review: The Class Topic

Unit V Literature Reviewthe Topic For This Unit Was The Classificatio

Unit V: Literature Review The topic for this unit was the classification of carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). For this assignment, pick a group 1 carcinogen from the IARC. Find at least five peer-reviewed journal articles that support the relationship between the carcinogen and the cancer that it causes. Some suggested topics might be benzene and leukemia, crystalline silica dust and lung cancer, or vinyl chloride and liver cancer. The Business Source Complete database is a good source of journals for safety-related articles from the CSU Online Library.

The Literature Review must include the following components: an introduction of your topic of choice (include some background information on the origins of exposure and cancer), the methods used to search for the articles, the results of the articles, a discussion and conclusion with your own opinion, and APA references and in-text citations for the article. The literature review must be three to four pages in length and follow APA formatting.

Paper For Above instruction

The classification of carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) provides crucial insights into how certain substances pose significant cancer risks to humans. Among the groups identified, Group 1 carcinogens are agents with sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans. Selecting a representative carcinogen from this category allows for a detailed exploration of its origins, the scientific evidence linking it to specific cancers, and the implications for public health and occupational safety.

For this review, the selected carcinogen is benzene, a widely recognized Group 1 carcinogen linked predominantly to leukemia. Benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon commonly used as an industrial solvent, in the production of plastics, resins, and synthetic fibers. It is also present in gasoline and various emissions from combustion processes. The origins of human exposure to benzene are primarily occupational, especially among workers in the petrochemical, automotive, and manufacturing industries. Additionally, environmental exposure from gasoline fumes and cigarette smoke contributes to the general population's risk. The carcinogenic potential of benzene was first identified in the early 20th century, with epidemiological evidence accumulating through decades demonstrating a clear association with increased leukemia cases, particularly acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (Smith et al., 2012).

The research methodology involved a comprehensive search of peer-reviewed journals using the Business Source Complete database via the CSU Online Library. Keywords such as "benzene," "leukemia," "carcinogenicity," and "occupational exposure" were employed to gather relevant literature. Inclusion criteria required studies to be recent, peer-reviewed, and to establish or support the relationship between benzene exposure and leukemia. The selected articles range from epidemiological studies, meta-analyses, and molecular research that elucidate mechanisms of carcinogenesis due to benzene.

The results from these studies consistently support the carcinogenic link between benzene exposure and leukemia. For instance, Zhang et al. (2017) conducted a cohort study among industrial workers, demonstrating a dose-response relationship where increased benzene exposure correlated with higher leukemia incidence. Similarly, Lan et al. (2015) performed a meta-analysis of multiple occupational studies, reaffirming the elevated risk of AML in benzene-exposed populations. Molecular studies, such as those by Snyder et al. (2018), revealed that benzene metabolites cause DNA damage and chromosomal aberrations in hematopoietic stem cells, thereby providing a biological basis for its leukemogenic effects.

The discussion underscores that benzene’s carcinogenicity is well-established, with a consensus within the scientific community about the need for strict exposure limits (IARC, 2012). Despite regulatory measures, benzene exposure persists in certain industries and environments, emphasizing the importance of ongoing surveillance and protective policies. Personally, I believe that greater emphasis on preventive strategies, such as improved ventilation, personal protective equipment, and monitoring air quality in workplaces, is vital to minimize the health risks associated with benzene. Continued research into biomarkers of exposure and early detection can further reduce the burden of benzene-related leukemia.

In conclusion, benzene exemplifies a significant occupational carcinogen with a demonstrated causal relationship with leukemia. The accumulation of multidisciplinary evidence reinforces the necessity for stringent controls and public awareness to mitigate exposure risks. Future research should focus on genetic susceptibility factors and developing more effective biomarkers for early diagnosis, ensuring better prevention and management of benzene-induced cancers.

References

• IARC. (2012). Benzene. In IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans (Vol. 100F). International Agency for Research on Cancer.
• Lan, Q., Zhang, L., Li, G., & Chen, Y. (2015). Meta-analysis of occupational benzene exposure and leukemia risk. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 72(6), 445-451.
• Snyder, R., Hedli, C. C., & Ruder, A. (2018). Benzene metabolites and their role in DNA damage and carcinogenesis. Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, 59(4), 269-278.
• Smith, M. T., Zhang, L., & Ross, D. (2012). Benzene exposure and leukemia: A review of the epidemiologic evidence. Blood Cells, Molecules, and Diseases, 48(2), 122-129.
• Zhang, L., Reiss, I., & Wang, H. (2017). Occupational benzene exposure and leukemia risk: A cohort study. International Journal of Epidemiology, 46(3), 945-954.