Workplace Benzene Exposure and Cancer Risk

You may be able to receive workers' compensation benefits for illness related to benzene exposure.

Benzene is among the most widely used chemicals in the US. It is a flammable, colorless liquid that has a sweet odor. It occurs naturally in gasoline and crude oil, and is used as a base material in making chemicals such as rubbers, plastics, dyes, detergents, lubricants, and pesticides. It was commonly used as an industrial solvent, but now steps are being taken to curb exposure to this hazardous chemical. High exposure to benzene can cause serious health consequences, and even death in some cases. Unfortunately, many people have become ill due to work-related benzene exposure.

What Are the Ill Effects of Benzene?

According to St. Louis workers' compensation attorneys, cancer is the deadliest consequence of benzene exposure. Various animal and human studies have proved that benzene can cause cancers such as leukaemia and several other types of cancers. Those workers who are exposed to high benzene levels are more likely to get cancer compared to other people. There are several types of cancers that are linked to benzene exposure. They include:

• Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
• Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Multiple myeloma

The United States National Toxicology Program, International Agency for Research on Cancer, and Environmental Protection Agency have conducted studies to confirm the link between benzene exposure and incidence of cancer. These groups consider benzene a human carcinogenic.

Benzene Exposure

There are two ways in which people can be exposed to benzene-through skin contact and inhalation. A common source of benzene exposure is smoking tobacco. Benzene exposure occurs at both the community level and at the workplace. The former occurs in areas that have fumes and are not well-ventilated and are commonly caused by tobacco smoke. The latter occurs in industries where benzene is used or produced.

Workers at High Risk

The categories of workers that are most commonly exposed to benzene are:

• Rubber industry workers
• Oil and gas refinery workers
• Transportation workers
• Chemical plant workers
• Steel workers
• Shoe manufacturers
• Printers
• Fire fighters
• Lab technicians
• Rail workers
• Barge workers
• Auto mechanics
• Industrial and commercial construction workers
• Heavy machinery mechanics

Any person or worker who comes in contact with benzene or a product that contains benzene can be at risk of toxic benzene exposure. Some benzene containing products include contact cements, kerosene, adhesives, cigarette lighter fluid, rubber cement, glues, gasoline, solvents, asphalts, and many other products.
Due to the toxic and carcinogenic nature of benzene, employers should undertake all possible safety measures to limit benzene exposure.

If you suspect that your cancer or illness could be a result of benzene exposure at the workplace, you may be able to claim workers' compensation benefits. Call The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann at (314) 361-4300 for a free consultation.

Photo credit: en.wikipedia.org via Google