BarbaraL wrote: "My husband is a Vietnam Vet. The Veterans Administration recognizes his multiple myeloma as a result of his exposure to Agent Orange."
The same here, Barbara. Thankfully, Dom has been in complete remission for over 5 years.
Forums
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Nanette - Name: Nanette "Deaux"
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My dear husband, Dominic
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Spring of 2008
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
Mona:
Did you ever come in contact with "Duplicating fluid" ?
There were many forms of the stuff. Some were used in a rotating drum, where a carbon "Master" was attached...and the drum rotated thru a slew of chemicals and squee-gees, to produce a bluish "Copy". Very prevalent in cas strapped Catholic schools in the 60's. Someone would crank (by hand) the Drum around and around to make a bunch of copies. A Favorite Nun, who used the devices often, developed Leukemia and died early. A sad deal.
The other variety was used on early copiers from the 50's thru 60's--until they went with "Dry Toner" Processes.
That stuff was toxic as hell.
There were cleaning solvents from dry cleaners, that also made many sick. Lots of B Cell dyscrasia's.
It (Chemicals) were everywhere !
Ginko:
My cousin has farmed much, lots of pesticides/ Herbicides, and had been multiply exposed to Agent Orange ( DaNang, etc) , and has had 2 bouts of Bladder cancer with reconstruction(s) in 10 years. I hope he doesn't progress to multiple myeloma.
Thank you for serving, so I can write this...freely.
Did you ever come in contact with "Duplicating fluid" ?
There were many forms of the stuff. Some were used in a rotating drum, where a carbon "Master" was attached...and the drum rotated thru a slew of chemicals and squee-gees, to produce a bluish "Copy". Very prevalent in cas strapped Catholic schools in the 60's. Someone would crank (by hand) the Drum around and around to make a bunch of copies. A Favorite Nun, who used the devices often, developed Leukemia and died early. A sad deal.
The other variety was used on early copiers from the 50's thru 60's--until they went with "Dry Toner" Processes.
That stuff was toxic as hell.
There were cleaning solvents from dry cleaners, that also made many sick. Lots of B Cell dyscrasia's.
It (Chemicals) were everywhere !
Ginko:
My cousin has farmed much, lots of pesticides/ Herbicides, and had been multiply exposed to Agent Orange ( DaNang, etc) , and has had 2 bouts of Bladder cancer with reconstruction(s) in 10 years. I hope he doesn't progress to multiple myeloma.
Thank you for serving, so I can write this...freely.
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Rneb
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
Rneb,
Not sure about the duplicating fluid, but I do vaguely remember mimeograph machines. Don't think I ever handled the ink or fluids, though.
Mona
Not sure about the duplicating fluid, but I do vaguely remember mimeograph machines. Don't think I ever handled the ink or fluids, though.
Mona
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Mona - Name: Mona
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 12/12/12
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
Multiple myeloma is a presumptive illness associated with exposure to Agent Orange (listed on VA website). My husband served in country in Viet Nam and died Christmas day 2013 after being treated for eight years with everything we could find to throw at the disease. Interestingly enough, one of his good friends from high school served in Viet Nam during the same period and was diagnosed a year before my husband. He is still alive.
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Caprice Plaep
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
A recent (9/13) research study from China showed a significantly increased risk of multiple myeloma in people who had been repeatedly exposed to methylene chloride(CH2Cl2). No other blood related cancer increase occurred due to methylene chloride exposure.
I was diagnosed with IgA lambda myeloma in November of 2013, and am thankfully now in CR. The above mentioned study struck me hard. Methylene chloride was the 'solvent of choice' in all my doctoral research. In addition, I had extensive exposure from various x-ray sources (XRR, XRF, XRD-Single crystal), which were somewhat shielded, but not like today's instruments. However, in your twenties, your invincible.
Thankfully, great work is being done in developing new and better therapies to help all of us.
As an aside, I appreciate the Beacon Forums. They let me know I'm not alone, even though each of us struggles in our own way.
I was diagnosed with IgA lambda myeloma in November of 2013, and am thankfully now in CR. The above mentioned study struck me hard. Methylene chloride was the 'solvent of choice' in all my doctoral research. In addition, I had extensive exposure from various x-ray sources (XRR, XRF, XRD-Single crystal), which were somewhat shielded, but not like today's instruments. However, in your twenties, your invincible.
Thankfully, great work is being done in developing new and better therapies to help all of us.
As an aside, I appreciate the Beacon Forums. They let me know I'm not alone, even though each of us struggles in our own way.
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gkevinphd
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
Thanks for all your replies - please keep them coming. With regards to a myeloma type and chemical exposure, I guess I was a bit hopeful, so will definitely settle for any myeloma and any chemical exposure.
So far on the chemical list (from this thread) that can potentially cause myeloma are:
Agent Orange - 2,4,5-T and 2,4-D with the contaminant TCDD
Methylene chloride
Then there are the dirty mixes - these are hard to pinpoint the actual chemical(s) involved:
Waste from processing plants
The hazardous mix (gas & particulate) generated by building fires
The various sprays used in agricultural areas
gkevinphd - I am particularly interested in the Chinese study you mention. Does it go into any depth with regards to the length of exposure and risk of myeloma? Or the type of myeloma?
So far on the chemical list (from this thread) that can potentially cause myeloma are:
Agent Orange - 2,4,5-T and 2,4-D with the contaminant TCDD
Methylene chloride
Then there are the dirty mixes - these are hard to pinpoint the actual chemical(s) involved:
Waste from processing plants
The hazardous mix (gas & particulate) generated by building fires
The various sprays used in agricultural areas
gkevinphd - I am particularly interested in the Chinese study you mention. Does it go into any depth with regards to the length of exposure and risk of myeloma? Or the type of myeloma?
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LibbyC - Name: LibbyC
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 43
Re: Relationship between myeloma types & chemical exposure?
LibbyC,
I remembered reading it right after my diagnosis. As it turns out, the mention of it can be arrived at below:
https://myelomabeacon.org/tag/methylene-chloride/
I went back and re-read the abstract, (a copy of the full article is $45). The main finding was a strong correlation between CH2Cl2 in a workplace exposure and an increased incidence of multiple myeloma. They stated there was a very weak statistical correlation to an increase risk in non-Hogkins Lymphoma as well, which needed further investigation (correction from my original post). I saw an older study dealing with many different cancers which found the myeloma rate doubled for men with workplace exposure over those without occupational exposure. Another earlier study published on chlorinated solvents in general and increased multiple myeloma is:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20833760
None of these studies dealt with the type of myeloma. My personal belief is the specific type is dependent on the individual and their biochemical susceptibility, but that's just an opinion.
I remembered reading it right after my diagnosis. As it turns out, the mention of it can be arrived at below:
https://myelomabeacon.org/tag/methylene-chloride/
I went back and re-read the abstract, (a copy of the full article is $45). The main finding was a strong correlation between CH2Cl2 in a workplace exposure and an increased incidence of multiple myeloma. They stated there was a very weak statistical correlation to an increase risk in non-Hogkins Lymphoma as well, which needed further investigation (correction from my original post). I saw an older study dealing with many different cancers which found the myeloma rate doubled for men with workplace exposure over those without occupational exposure. Another earlier study published on chlorinated solvents in general and increased multiple myeloma is:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20833760
None of these studies dealt with the type of myeloma. My personal belief is the specific type is dependent on the individual and their biochemical susceptibility, but that's just an opinion.
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gkevinphd
37 posts
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