1,3-Butadiene exposure and cardiovascular disease

This review summarizes the epidemiologic, biochemical and genetic evidence associating occupational, environmental or experimental exposure to 1,3-butadiene (BD) with subsequent development of cardiovascular disease, with the primary focus on atherosclerosis. The potential role of BD in the known atherosclerotic effects of environmental tobacco smoke as well as correlations between polymorphisms in BD phase II enzymes and development of atherosclerosis are presented.