Workers in many industries that produce or use benzene may be at risk for being exposed to this horrible carcinogen. Some of these jobs include benzene production (petrochemicals, petroleum refining, and coke and coal chemical manufacturing), rubber tire manufacturing, and storage or transport of benzene and petroleum products containing benzene.

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

Although benzene exposure normally occurs in the workplace, there have been many instances of Industrial discharge, disposal of products containing benzene, and gasoline leaks from underground storage tanks that have released benzene into our soil and water supplies, thus creating environmental benzene exposure situations.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has responded to environmental benzene exposure problems by setting the maximum permissible level of benzene in drinking water at 0.005 milligrams per liter (0.005 mg/L). The EPA requires that spills or accidental releases into the environment of 10 pounds or more of benzene be reported to the EPA immediately.

Some household products, such as glues, cleaning products, detergents, art supplies, and paint strippers, contain benzene. In addition, there has recently been quite a bit of news surrounding the discovery of benzene in soda and soft drinks.

Unfortunately, many companies consider the addition of the chemical to their products of as a “trade secret” and therefore do not list it on the product labeling. This corporate strategy poses a serious risk to consumers who become victims of unknown benzene exposure.

There are acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) side effects to a person being exposed to the chemical benzene. Benzene has been linked to the following:

•Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
•Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
•Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)
•Aplastic Anemia
•Blood Diseases
•Hematologic Cancers
•Hodgkin’s Disease
•Interstitial Lung Diseases
•Myelofibrosis and Myeloid Metaplasia
•Multiple Myeloma
•Thrombocytopenic Purpura

For more information, please read our leukemia symptoms page.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) or Mesothelioma Asbestos Cancer or other cancers & diseases, then you need to consult with an attorney to discuss a potential exposure lawsuit. Talk to a Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer, certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, with 30+ years of legal experience. Call 1-800-883-9858 or click the link below.