RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 0432 Can exposure-response curves based on molecular epidemiology data inform the exposure-response curve?
JF Occupational and Environmental Medicine
JO Occup Environ Med
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP A124
OP A124
DO 10.1136/oemed-2014-102362.392
VO 71
IS Suppl 1
A1 Roel Vermeulen
A1 Qing Lan
A1 Jelle Vlaanderen
A1 Lutzen Portengen
A1 Nat Rothman
YR 2014
UL http://oem.bmj.com/content/71/Suppl_1/A124.2.abstract
AB Objectives Derivation of the exposure-response curve at low (occupational) exposures is often troubled by the fact that within epidemiological investigations power to discern the exposure-response curve (ERC) at low exposure levels is often limited. Conversely, we often observe non-linear exposure-response curves at the higher end of the exposure range which amongst others may be due to metabolic saturation. Method Derivation of the exposure-response curve at low (occupational) exposures is often troubled by the fact that within epidemiological investigations power to discern the exposure-response curve (ERC) at low exposure levels is often limited. Conversely, we often observe non-linear exposure-response curves at the higher end of the exposure range which amongst others may be due to metabolic saturation. Results Studies on benzene exposed occupational populations have indicated 1) non-linear production of reactive metabolites at low levels of exposure; 2) non-linear production of benzene-oxide adducts; and 3) non-linear associations between benzene and hematoxicity. This is of particular interest as there have been indications of a possible non-linear association between benzene and leukaemia in epidemiological studies. Conclusions The evidence on a molecular and clinical level may provide evidence for a possible non-linear association between benzene and leukaemia and provides promise that molecular data can directly be integrated in epidemiological risk analyses to inform ERCs.