Occupational Diseases: Multiple Myeloma

1. Light Chain Myeloma
2. Non-secretory Myeloma
3. Solitary Plasmacytoma
4. Extramedullary Plasmacytoma
5. Smoldering Multiple Myeloma
6. IgA, IgG, IgD, IgE, and IgM Myeloma

Risk Factors of Myeloma

Age: The risk of developing multiple myeloma goes up as people get older, with less than 1% of cases diagnosed in people younger than 35. Most people diagnosed with MM are at least 65 years old.

Sex: Men are slightly more likely to develop multiple myeloma than women.

Race: Multiple myeloma is more than twice as common in African Americans than in White Americans. The reason for this is not known.

Family history: Someone who has a sibling or parent with myeloma is more likely to get it than someone who does not have this family history.

Excess body weight: Some research has suggested that having excess body weight increases a person’s risk of developing myeloma.

Exposure to Certain Chemicals: Some chemicals, such as some pesticides and herbicides and benzene, can slightly raise your risk for multiple myeloma.

Agricultural Workers: Prolonged exposure to pesticides and herbicides has been linked to an increased risk of multiple myeloma.

Petroleum and Chemical Industry Workers: Exposure to benzene and other petrochemicals are known to be carcinogenic and may increase the risk of multiple myeloma.

Woodworkers and Furniture Manufacturers: Long-term exposure to wood dust and chemicals such as formaldehyde used in the manufacturing process may elevate the risk of developing MM.

Metalworkers and Welders: Working with certain metals and fumes, especially those that produce toxic fumes, can increase the risk of developing MM.

Rubber Industry Workers: Rubber industry workers may have exposure to various chemicals used in rubber manufacturing that may increase the risk of developing MM.

Health Care Workers: Radiologists, oncologists, and other healthcare workers who handle radiation or chemotherapy drugs may be at a higher risk of developing MM.

Military Personnel and Veterans: Veterans, particularly those who served in Vietnam, may have been exposed to Agent Orange, which has been linked to MM.

Firefighters: Firefighters are regularly exposed to harmful substances, such as toxic smoke and chemicals, during firefighting and rescue operations that may increase the risk of MM

Hairdressers and Cosmetologists: Exposure to hair dyes and other chemical products: Prolonged exposure to certain chemicals in beauty products may increase risk of MM.

Miners: Mining can expose workers to various heavy metals and radioactive materials that may increase the risk of MM.

1. Benzene

• Source: Industrial settings such as oil refineries, chemical plants, and products like plastics, resins, and pesticides.
• Effect: Benzene exposure can lead to bone marrow suppression and blood disorders, increasing the risk of multiple myeloma.

2. Pesticides and Herbicides

• Source: Used in agriculture; common chemicals include phenoxyacetic acids, organochlorines, and organophosphates.
• Effect: Prolonged exposure can disrupt endocrine function and suppress the immune system, raising the risk of multiple myeloma.

3. Formaldehyde

• Source: Production of resins, plastics, textiles, and used as a preservative in laboratories and mortuaries.
• Effect: Long-term exposure is linked to cancers of the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, leukemia, and multiple myeloma due to DNA repair disruption.

4. Petroleum Products

• Source: Petroleum industry products like fuels, lubricants, and various petrochemicals.
• Effect: Chronic exposure to petroleum products, especially benzene, is associated with increased risks of hematologic cancers, including multiple myeloma.

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