Environmental Toxins: Marrow Disease Not Epidemic

San Diego county is investigating an increase in cases of aplastic anemia, which is a rare bone marrow disease that has been linked to exposure to certain environmental toxins. Since October, seven people in San Diego county have been diagnosed with the disease, four of whom are children, said Jeffrey Johnson, who works as a senior epidemiologist for San Diego Public Health Services. Johnson says the county public health office is worried about real or perceived disease clusters. “We want to take this seriously and begin the investigative process,” he said.

Marrow disease is not epidemic, hospital says

Aplastic anemia is a rare disease that occurs when bone marrow does not produce enough new blood cells. It is only seen in one or two people out of every million in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Between 300 and 600 new cases of the disease are reported each year. Symptoms of the disease include exhaustion, increased risk for infection, and uncontrolled bleeding. Risk factors for aplastic anemia include exposure to high doses of radiation and chemotherapy treatment, illegal drug use, toxic chemical exposure, autoimmune disorders, and viruses. Chemicals that increase the risk for the disease include benzene, which is found in gasoline, mothballs, paint, varnish removers, and household cleaners.