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In recent years, the incidence of leukemia has been on the rise, and this situation has attracted widespread attention. As a serious hematologic malignant tumor, the causes of leukemia are complex and diverse, involving genetics, environment, lifestyle and other factors.
In this article, we'll explore why leukemia is becoming more common and remind everyone to pay attention to these three things at home to reduce the risk of developing the disease.
Background to the rising incidence of leukemia
Leukemia is a blood cancer caused by abnormal proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow. The disease can occur at any age, but its incidence is particularly high in children and the elderly.
According to statistics, the annual incidence of leukemia in the United States is 12.8 per 100,000 people diagnosed with the disease. In China, with the improvement of living standards and the advancement of medical testing methods, the diagnosis rate of leukemia is also increasing year by year.
Studies have shown that the main causes of leukemia include genetic predisposition, environmental exposure, and lifestyle. In particular, the influence of environmental factors is increasingly being taken into account, as they are an inevitable part of our daily lives. Many items in the home can contain substances that are harmful to health and unknowingly increase our risk of leukemia.
Chemicals in the home environment
One of the most common harmful chemicals in the home is benzene (Benzene). Benzene is a colorless, sweet-smelling liquid that is widely used in the manufacture of plastics, resins, synthetic fibers, and certain cleaners and solvents.
Long-term exposure to benzene can have a toxic effect on the bone marrow and disrupt hematopoietic function, resulting in leukemia. Several studies have confirmed that the incidence of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is significantly higher in the population of workers who are occupationally exposed to benzene than in the general population.
The research team in South Carolina, USA, found that people exposed to benzene had a two- to four-fold increased risk of leukemia. Researchers conducted blood tests and health monitoring on several workers who had been exposed to benzene for a long time and found that the number of white blood cells and platelets in these workers was significantly reduced, and the hematopoietic system was severely damaged.
These data suggest that benzene not only has a direct impact on individual health, but may also be an important environmental factor in the high incidence of leukemia.
Harmful substances in home decoration materials
Another thing to watch out for is formaldehyde (Formaldehyde) in home decoration materials. Formaldehyde is a commonly used industrial chemical that is widely found in a variety of building and renovation materials, such as plywood, fiberboard, paint, and furniture.
Formaldehyde is easily released into the air under high temperature and humidity conditions, and long-term exposure to formaldehyde pollution can lead to respiratory diseases and cancer.
Studies have shown that family members, especially children, who are chronically exposed to high levels of formaldehyde, have a significantly increased risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Experimental data show that after formaldehyde enters the human body through the respiratory tract, it will destroy DNA and cell structure, leading to abnormal cell proliferation and cancer.
A study on home decoration materials found that the concentration of formaldehyde in the indoor air of homes decorated with materials with high formaldehyde content often exceeded the standard several times, seriously affecting the health of occupants.
Potential risks of ionizing radiation
In addition to chemicals, ionizing radiation is also one of the important factors in the pathogenesis of leukemia. Ionizing radiation includes X-rays, γ-rays, etc., and these radiation sources are not uncommon in daily life, such as CT scans and X-rays in medical examinations. Although the radiation dose for a single test is not large, repeated exposure to high doses of radiation over a long period of time significantly increases the risk of leukemia.
Studies have shown that children who undergo two to three CT scans have a 1.24-fold increased risk of leukemia. An epidemiological survey in the United States found that people who work with radiology, such as radiologists and nuclear power plant workers, have a significantly higher risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) than the general population.
These data suggest that ionizing radiation is one of the important causes of leukemia by damaging cellular DNA, leading to cell mutations and cancer.
Potential threats in everyday household items
There are also some potentially harmful substances in household routines, such as pesticides and detergents. These products often contain chemical components that are harmful to the human body, such as organophosphorus compounds, benzene, etc. Especially in early childhood, frequent exposure to these harmful substances can increase the risk of leukemia.
Studies have shown a significant association between household pesticide use and the incidence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children.
A Canadian study of families with children with leukemia found that families with higher frequency of insecticide use had a significantly higher incidence of leukemia in their children. These chemicals are absorbed through the skin or enter the body through the respiratory tract and have adverse effects on the immune system and hematopoietic system, which ultimately leads to the development of leukemia.
Preventive measures and health advice
To reduce the health effects of harmful substances in the home environment, you can take the following steps:
Choose environmentally friendly materials: When decorating your house, try to choose environmentally friendly, low-formaldehyde building materials and furniture to reduce indoor air pollution. Choose products that are environmentally certified, which are usually lower in formaldehyde and less harmful to health.
Reduce the use of chemicals: In your daily life, minimize the use of benzene-containing cleaners and pesticides and choose alternatives to natural ingredients. When using detergents and insecticides, pay attention to ventilation and avoid using them in confined spaces.
Be aware of ionizing radiation: Try to avoid unnecessary radiological tests, especially in children, and reduce high-radiation tests such as CT scans. In daily life, pay attention to reduce the time you are exposed to high radiation and use protective measures to protect yourself and your family.
By taking these preventive measures, you can effectively reduce the health effects of harmful substances in the home environment and reduce the risk of serious diseases such as leukemia. Everyone should pay attention to the safety of the home environment and start from the details to protect the health of themselves and their families.
Finally, what experiences and insights would you like to share? Feel free to leave a message in the comment area!
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