Hematotoxicity: Chemically Induced Toxicity of the Blood

This chapter describes toxicities affect blood. The following subjects are covered: the origin, formation, and differentiation of blood cells; clinical tests used to evaluate hematotoxicity; oxygen transport by erythrocytes (red blood cells or RBCs) and interference with oxygen transport by drugs and chemicals; chemicals that affect the formation of red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells (bone marrow suppression); leukemias and lymphomas (cancers of the white blood cells); neurological and cardiovascular toxicities caused by interference with oxygen utilization (e.g., cyanide, hydrogen disulfide); and medical treatment of hematotoxicity. This chapter describes common occupational and environmental chemicals and drugs that affect blood formation and function. Only the recognized chemically induced blood toxicities are included in this chapter, although there are many examples of anecdotal reports linking a large number of chemicals and drugs with hematotoxicity.