Benzene

Benzene is a colorless liquid with a sweet odor. It is highly flammable and formed from natural processes and human activities. Natural sources of Benzene include volcanoes and forest fires. Benzene is also a natural part of crude oil, gasoline, cigarette smoke, and a component or contaminant in numerous industrial and consumer products. Benzene is commonly found in: adhesives, asphalts, calibrating fluid, charcoal lighter fluid, cigarette lighter fluid, contact cement, gasoline, glues, kerosene, hydraulic fluids, inks, ink markers, lacquer thinner, pesticides, processing film, rubber cement, solvents, and vinyl thinner.

Individuals who may be exposed to Benzene because of their occupations include workers: in the rubber industry, printers industry, pesticides production, detergent production, solvent production, paint and varnish production, waste management, oil refineries, chemical plants, shoe manufacturers, petroleum processing industries, steelworkers, printers, laboratory technicians, firefighters, and gas station employees.

Benzene is a known carcinogen and causes benzene-related cancer. Breathing benzene vapors may cause immediate death, and other exposures to the chemical have been linked to various forms of leukemia. There are acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) side effects to a person being exposed to the chemical. Benzene has been linked to the following:

  • Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
  • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
  • Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
  • Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
  • Myelofibrosis and Myeloid Metaplasia
  • Aplastic Anemia
  • Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
  • Hairy Cell Leukemia
  • Multiple MyelomaThrombocytopenic Purpura
  • Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
  • Hematologic Cancers

If you or a loved one has been exposed to Benzene and has been diagnosed with these illnesses, contact one of our personal injury attorneys today for a free consultation.