Benzene

Benzene is a colorless liquid with a sweet odor. It is highly flammable and is formed from both 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 cements, gasoline, glues, kerosene, hydraulic fluids, inks and 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, steel workers, 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 have been diagnosed with any of these illnesses, call one of our personal injury attorneys at 716-636-7600 today for a free consultation.