Benzene Exposure Near Haifa Refineries Poses Health Risks, Study Finds
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Researchers from Rambam and the Technion have found that repeated exposure to even low doses of benzene, a known carcinogen, can affect human respiratory cells. The study, prompted by a pollution incident near Haifa refineries on October 11, used "organ-on-a-chip" technology to simulate the effects of benzene on bronchial cells. Findings indicate that regular contact with pollutants, even at permissible levels, can impact cell function without immediate poisoning symptoms. This research offers a new method for studying the health impacts of air pollution.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Researchers found repeated benzene exposure affects human respiratory cells even at low doses.
- The study used "organ-on-a-chip" technology to simulate benzene's impact on bronchial cells.
- High benzene levels were detected near Haifa refineries on October 11, causing school disruptions.
- Benzene is a known carcinogen linked to increased cancer risk by the WHO.
- The research provides a new tool to study the effects of frequent air pollutant exposure.
Following an abnormal air pollution incident near the Haifa refineries that led to school closures, researchers from Rambam Health Care Campus and the Technion have published findings on the health effects of benzene. On October 11, the Ministry of Health detected high levels of benzene near the Haifa refineries, prompting the relocation of classes in Kiryat Ata schools. The ministry attributed the pollution to planned maintenance and post-war repair work at the Bazan refinery.
A mobile environmental monitoring station in Kiryat Ata recorded a spike in benzene levels on October 3, while other stations around the plant showed normal readings. Benzene, a volatile organic compound and known carcinogen found in cigarette smoke, exhaust fumes, and industrial emissions, is linked by the WHO to an increased risk of cancer, even at low doses.
Researchers led by Dr. Adel Goldman-Pincovich, Dr. Arbel Arci-Shnirman, and Prof. Joshua Schnitman utilized an "organ-on-a-chip" technology to investigate the impact of benzene on human respiratory cells. This technology uses a small chip containing living human cells to simulate organ function in a laboratory setting.
The study exposed bronchial cells to varying doses of benzene. While a single exposure to a minimal dose did not harm the cells or significantly increase the production of the immune-regulating cytokine IL-10, repeated exposures to the same dose led to a noticeable increase in IL-10. Dr. Arci-Shnirman stated this indicates a cellular reaction to regular contact with toxic substances, even without visible poisoning symptoms.
Dr. Arci-Shnirman expressed hope that this technology will enable future testing of complex toxin mixtures and direct analysis of street air. The initial results suggest that even permissible concentrations of pollutants can affect cell function with frequent exposure, providing a new tool to study long-standing environmental health questions.
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