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Could Long Term Exposure To Benzene Worsen Asthma Symptoms?

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Posted on Fri, 21 Oct 2016
Question: Yes, I was at Camp XXXX in North XXXXXXX for basis training in 1966, I'm now being told that the water was contaminated with hazard chemicals; such as TCE, PCE and Benzene. Could these chemicals could have aggravated my preexisting asthma?


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Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Explanation provided.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on Healthcaremagic.

Long term exposure to benzene increases the possibility of getting asthma and allergic reactions. However, it is hard to comment on the role of short term exposure. Please go through:
http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/36/1/33

TCE (Trichloroethylene) does not directly induce asthma but can modulate asthma. Please go through:
https://books.google.co.in/books?id=t_FjAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA106&lpg=PA106&dq=tce+asthma&source=bl&ots=mvHbXzDspr&sig=15-P9xowS5C0tULchksbo3S2hlA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwitnYHptqfPAhVFq48KHQZvA_YQ6AEIMzAD#v=onepage&q=tce%20asthma&f=false

Same about PCE
https://books.google.co.in/books?id=t_FjAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA118&lpg=PA118&dq=pce+asthma&source=bl&ots=mvHbXzDtpl&sig=jPaPMShnP0iiIRARTB_mtw5AaOs&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwif-OaVt6fPAhVERo8KHZMFAvQQ6AEIPjAG#v=onepage&q=pce%20asthma&f=false

In nutshell, there is a possibility of preexisting asthma getting aggravated by exposure to these chemicals. However, I doubt if that would have any long term consequence.

Regards


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1954

Answered : 4467 Questions

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Could Long Term Exposure To Benzene Worsen Asthma Symptoms?

Brief Answer: Explanation provided. Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on Healthcaremagic. Long term exposure to benzene increases the possibility of getting asthma and allergic reactions. However, it is hard to comment on the role of short term exposure. Please go through: http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/36/1/33 TCE (Trichloroethylene) does not directly induce asthma but can modulate asthma. Please go through: https://books.google.co.in/books?id=t_FjAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA106&lpg=PA106&dq=tce+asthma&source=bl&ots=mvHbXzDspr&sig=15-P9xowS5C0tULchksbo3S2hlA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwitnYHptqfPAhVFq48KHQZvA_YQ6AEIMzAD#v=onepage&q=tce%20asthma&f=false Same about PCE https://books.google.co.in/books?id=t_FjAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA118&lpg=PA118&dq=pce+asthma&source=bl&ots=mvHbXzDtpl&sig=jPaPMShnP0iiIRARTB_mtw5AaOs&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwif-OaVt6fPAhVERo8KHZMFAvQQ6AEIPjAG#v=onepage&q=pce%20asthma&f=false In nutshell, there is a possibility of preexisting asthma getting aggravated by exposure to these chemicals. However, I doubt if that would have any long term consequence. Regards