Journal of Pollution Effects & Control
Open Access

Abstract

Benzene Exposure and Respiratory Health in Children: A Systematic Review of Epidemiologic Evidences

Amparo Ferrero, Carmen Íñiguez, Ana Esplugues, Marisa Estarlich and Ferran Ballester

The aim of this review is to summarize epidemiological studies on the relationship between air exposure to benzene and respiratory health among children and adolescents. To the best of our knowledge, no previous review on this topic has been published. An exhaustive search in on-line bibliographic databases (PubMed and Web of Science) was carried out in April 2014. We selected observational analytical studies with individual data analyzing outdoor, indoor and personal exposure to benzene, and their association with at least one respiratory health outcome in children aged up to 18 years old. Fourteen papers published between 1999 and 2014 were selected (five for indoor, six for outdoor and three for personal exposure). In general, benzene exposure levels found in the studies were low, ranging between 1.5 and 24.8 μg/m³. Indoor exposure was higher than outdoor and personal exposure. Overall findings suggest that an increase in benzene exposure could impair respiratory health (asthma, lung function and pulmonary infections) in children aged up to 18 years old. However, since great diversity in methods and study designs exist, comparisons between results are hampered. Further research is needed to broaden knowledge on the effects of benzene on respiratory health during childhood.