Reverse transcription PCR assays were used to detect common childhood leukaemia-associated translocations, TCF3::PBX1 and RUNX1::RUNX1T1.<h4>Results</h4>Preliminary experiments observed TCF3::PBX1 and RUNX1::RUNX1T1 translocations in benzene and cotinine exposed cells, including concentrations equivalent to passive smoke exposure. Here, RUNX1 is linked to leukemia.