RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Acute childhood leukaemia and environmental exposure to potential sources of benzene and other hydrocarbons; a case-control study JF Occupational and Environmental Medicine JO Occup Environ Med FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 773 OP 778 DO 10.1136/oem.2003.010868 VO 61 IS 9 A1 C Steffen A1 M F Auclerc A1 A Auvrignon A1 A Baruchel A1 K Kebaili A1 A Lambilliotte A1 G Leverger A1 D Sommelet A1 E Vilmer A1 D Hémon A1 J Clavel YR 2004 UL http://oem.bmj.com/content/61/9/773.abstract AB Aim: To analyse the association between potential environmental exposure to hydrocarbons and the risk of acute childhood leukaemia. Methods: A hospital based multicentre case control study, stratified on centre, age, and sex, with 280 leukaemia cases and 285 controls was carried out. Data were collected by a standardised interview of the mothers. Results: No clear association was seen between maternal occupational exposure to hydrocarbons during pregnancy and leukaemia, or between residential traffic density and leukaemia. There was an association between dwellings neighbouring a petrol station or a repair garage during childhood and the risk of childhood leukaemia (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.5 to 10.3), with a duration trend. The association, which appeared particularly strong for acute non-lymphocytic leukaemia (OR 7.7, 95% CI 1.7 to 34.3), was not altered by adjustment for potential confounding factors. Conclusions: Results showed an association between acute childhood leukaemia and dwellings neighbouring auto repair garages and petrol stations, which are benzene emitting sources. These findings could be due to chance, although the strength of the association and the duration trend are arguments for a causal association.