Are Environmental Factors Linked to Blood Cancer?
Author: Janya Kumar
Abstract
Blood Cancers, like leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, occur when mutated blood cells grow out of control. While many cases are linked to random genetic mutations or aging, other research has provided proof that someone's environment and job exposures play a significant role in increasing a person's risk for blood cancer.
Most Common Risk Factors
Chemical Exposure
The most common ones that have been linked are from Benzene and petrochemicals. Benzene is a clear, highly flammable chemical widely used in industrial manufacturing, chemical plants, and oil refining. It is also found in gasoline, vehicle emissions, and tobacco smoke. Lots of exposure daily causes bone marrow cells, making it most linked to Blood Cancers.
Ionizing Radiation
High-dose exposure to ionizing radiation from nuclear accidents, atomic blasts, and frequent unprotected exposure to X-rays and medical radiation could alter cells' DNA. This DNA damage can trigger the rapid, cancerous growth of white blood cells. One example is when the atomic bombs were thrown to Japan (Hiroshima and Nagasaki); many people who did survive were diagnosed with Blood Cancer. It was the most diagnosed disease people died from years later, from the radiation from the atomic bombs.
Pesticides and Agriculture Exposures
Farmers and people living in highly agricultural areas often have longer contact with organophosphates, glyphosate, and other commercial pesticides. A parent's exposure to agricultural chemicals during pregnancy or a child's early childhood exposure has shown a correlation with higher risks for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia.
Tabacco Smoke
Besides all the respiratory risks with smoking, cigarette smoke contains many carcinogens like benzene. Smoking has shown an increase in blood cancer, especially with the older generation.
Household Pollutants
Many studies have found that in many households, chemicals like PFAS (found in everyday consumer products and household dust) and an increase in indoor benzene levels from a gas stove, especially in children.
How Environmental Toxins Cause Blood Cancer
The human bone marrow is the main producer of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. When toxic chemicals like benzene or heavy metals enter the body, they can cross into the bone marrow and disrupt normal cellular division, leading to mutations.
Carcinogens damage DNA, leading to mutations in the chromosomes of developing blood cells. If the genes regulating cell growth are permanently damaged, the mutated cells begin replicating uncontrollably, leading to pancytopenia (a decrease in healthy blood cells) and causing leukemia or lymphoma.
Future steps
Unlike genetic factors, environmental risks can be preventable with regulations and safety protocols.
Industrial Chemicals
Use protective equipment and proper ventilation in workplaces
Agricultural Toxins
Use organic farming alternatives and lower direct contact with the chemicals with protective gear
Household Pollutants
Have proper kitchen ventilation when cooking, filter drinking water, and regular vacuuming to clear toxic dust
Works Cited
"Environmental Public Health Tracking: Leukemia Data." Wisconsin Department of Health Services, 1 Aug. 2022, www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/epht/leukemia.htm.
"Environmental Risk Factors for Leukemia." Moffitt Cancer Center, www.moffitt.org/cancers/leukemia/faqs/environmental-risk-factors-for-leukemia/.
"How Toxic Exposure Leads to Blood Cancers and What Patients Should Know." Blood Cancer Today / OncoHemaKey, 22 June 2025, oncohemakey.com/how-toxic-exposure-leads-to-blood-cancers-and-what-patients-should-know/.
"Leukemia, Lymphoma and Multiple Myeloma." Temple Health, www.templehealth.org/services/conditions/leukemia-lymphoma-multiple-myeloma.
"Analyzing the Intersection Between Leukemia, Environmental Factors, and Developing Countries." MEIG Programme, 17 Apr. 2025, www.meig.ch/highlight-22-2025-analyzing-the-intersection-between-leukemia-environmental-factors-and-developing-countries/.
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