Benzene is an organic chemical compound that is a proven carcinogen for humans. It is a naturally occurring substance in crude oil and is a significant by-product of petroleum. At one time benzene was a component of gasoline, but is banned from such use today. Nevertheless it is a widely used industrial product that is employed in the manufacture of drugs, plastics, synthetic rubber, dyes, and as a solvent.
Continuing Benzene Use
Benzene use in the United States today is highly regulated but remains an important function for many manufacturing operations. Its use in forms of cement (glue), paint strippers, industrial solvents and spot removers has been phased out. While benzene was recognized as a serious health hazard by the 1950s, consumer product companies didn’t phase out its use until the late 1970s, claiming that conclusive evidence of harm to humans had not been produced.
Today exposure to benzene fumes remains an occupational hazard for hundreds of thousands of workers. Its primary health impact is on the blood, where it alters the cell structure and production of white blood cells. This process causes anemia and is often a precursor to leukemia.
How Benzene Leads to Cancer
The white blood cell malformation caused by benzene exposure leads to white blood cells that cannot fight infection, a primary function of normal white cells. When these cells become cancerous the resulting condition can be acute myelogenous leukemia, an aggressive and lethal form of cancer in the blood. Uncontrolled reproduction of these leukemic cells also slows the production of red blood cells, leading to a hematological imbalance that results in a number of symptoms. Fatigue, shortness of breath, excessive bleeding and abnormal bruising and bone or joint pain can indicate the presence of anemia or leukemia caused by benzene exposure.
Benzene exposure remains an industrial health hazard today, but there are other potential sources for benzene fumes or ingestion of the substance. Ground water contamination, foods that use benzoic acid during preparation, fumes from burning plastic or rubber; all of these situations have potential for hazardous human exposure. In Harbin, China, a city of over 8 million people, the principal water supply was closed because of major benzene pollution.
Expert Legal Advice for Benzene Victims
The EPA has established standards for maximum levels of benzene content in air and water, while OSHA has defined the safety requirements for workers who are exposed to benzene on the job. If you or a relative have suffered the onset of anemia or leukemia and have been exposed to benzene, you may have the option of legal action to seek recourse. Contact one of our legal experts today; you’ll receive a free, in-depth analysis of your legal case.
