Leukaemia links

Explaining the rise of 400 per centcases of leukaemia, RaymondLiang Hin-Suen of the University ofHong Kong has recently postulatedthe incidence of the malady withexposure to organic solvents."There is no hard evidence," hewarned, "but there is suspicion."He had studied 67 patients.

The Hong Kong researchernoted that there was a rise inbone marrow cancer among localresidents annually numberingfrom 10 in 1980 to 40 tilltoday. His teamdiagnosed a'myelodysplastic syndrome'-better knownas an effect ofexposure tohigh-dose radiation. "We arethese seeing apre-leukaemia, symptoms," saysLang, 'When you look at the bonemarrow, their red cells and whitecells are all affected. This is commonly seen in radiation, in victimsof atomic bombs."

Treatment of this fatal diseaseis very difficult. Initially, patientsvisit the hospital only to receivetransfusions. If their conditiondeteriorates, they are hospitalised.Younger patients can get bonemarrow transplants, although thisoperation gives them less than30 per cent chance of survival.

Two Hong Kong hospitals areinvestigating these patients' previous working conditions and exposure to chemicals. As most of themwere found to be unexposed toradiation, the medicos bad to lookfor other explanations.

Liang noted that his patientswere exposed to petroleum-derived organic chemicals and solvents. These included keroseneused for cooking, organic solventsin paints and lacquers and benzene. Claiming the research to beof a very general character, Liangsaid efforts are on to chart eachpatient's history of over-exposureto different chemicals.