Benzene Exposure
Benzene exposure can cause acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), as well as other forms of leukemia and cancer.
Benzene has been widely used over the years, most greatly affecting workers employed in industries using or producing benzene. The Department of Health and Human Services found the chemical benzene to be a human carcinogen, directly resulting in cases of leukemia and cancer. Although many instances of benzene being used in industrial processes have been replaced, there are estimates that millions of workers are still exposed to benzene every year. According to the EPA, exposure to benzene has affected 50% of the U.S. population due to industrial sources.
| Benzene Exposure Law Suits Benzene Leukemia Lawsuits provides information for people who have suffered from occupational exposure to Benzene- a hazardous chemical used in a wide variety of industries. Benzene has been linked to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), and other forms of leukemia and cancer. If you worked with chemicals, have aml leukemia , or other health problems you believe may be related to your exposure we can help you obtain legal help to pay for treatment and compensation for your injuries. Please call the Law Offices of Lawrence E. Feldman & Associates at 1-888-766-2690 if you or someone you know has been exposed to the harmful effects of Benzene. |
Benzene is a known carcinogen that causes Leukemia
Benzene exposure has been linked to all types of Leukemia. However it is believed to cause the rarer forms including: Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). It is also linked to lymphoma, and blood diseases.
The exposure levels that have been associated with cancer have ranged from from less than 5 years to people exposed for more than 30 years. These workers have died of rare forms of Leukemia. Long-term exposure may also adversely impact bone marrow and blood production.
Leukemias are malignant diseases that affect the blood and bone marrow.
The four major types of leukemia are:
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
hairy cell leukemia (HCL)
Scientists have also linked non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkin's disease, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), aplastic anemia, pancytopenia, cytopenias, myelofibrosis, and polycythemia vera. to Benzene.
| Dangers of Benzene and Science A number of recent studies and reviews of leukemia and its relationship to Benzene exposure have been published. Researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Public Health, concluded that benzene was linked to many forms of leukemia including acute myelogenous leukemia AML as well as acute and chronic lymphocytic and myeloid leukemia (Savitz, D., and Andrews, K.,"Review of Epidemiologic Evidence on Benzene and Lymphatic and Hematopoietic Cancers," Amer. J. Industrial Health 31:287-295 (1997). However, Benzene has a long history in the medical literature. As early as the 1920s, Benzene was linked to leukemia in a published study. TheAmerican Petroleum Institute noted in the 1940s benzene caused leukemia noted that any level of exposure to benzene posed risks. A major epidemiologic study of benzene of exposed workers demonstrated the risks of leukemia appeared in 1977. The scientific studies indicate workers who use solvents are at risk of developing cancer and blood diseases from exposure to benzene. |
| Risks of Exposure Benzene has been banned as solvent in the United States for over twenty 20 years, yet workers are still exposed by direct and indirect sources. People working with petroleum solvents containing benzene are at greatest risk, because Benzene remains in use in most petroleum solvents. By using the solvent workers may come into contact by breathing in into their lungs or may absorb it through their skin when applying the solvent. Millions of workers may be exposed to benzene every year. Workers in the following areas are at risk: Industrial plant workers who use solvents Painters Gasoline Workers Oil Refinery Workers Chemical Lab workers People in the rubber industry Pesticide manufacturing Printing/newspaper Paper and Pulp manufacturing Adhesive production Leather manufacturing If you worked in the above industries for any length of time and get Leukemia or a rare disease benzene may be the cause. People who are exposed over long periods of time are at greater risk, but studies have shown that even small amounts of Benzene can cause cancer. Smoking and certain inherited genetic traits are the other risks factors, but absent Benzene it is very rare that a person who has one of the few known risk factors for Leukemia will develop the disease. |