BENZENE EXPOSURE AND ACUTE MYELOGENOUS LEUKEMIA (AML)

Exposure to benzene and benzene-containing solvents and products can cause cancer and has been directly linked by scientists to Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML).

What is Benzene?

Benzene is a chemical used to make plastics, resins, and nylon and synthetic fibers. Benzene is also used to make some types of rubbers, lubricants, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides.

Benzene exposure is possible through many ways. Low levels of exposure can be experienced through cigarette smoke and car exhaust. High levels can be the result of maybe working at gas stations or hazardous wastes sights. Water can also present problems of benzene exposure if wells are near underground chemical storage or waste sites. The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, which regulated safe levels of chemicals in water, deemed the safe level of benzene at zero.

The Environmental Protection Agency has enacted strict regulations to reduce benzene exposure in the work environment. Unfortunately, when regulations are not complied with, workers can be exposed to highly dangerous conditions that could potentially result in long term and irreversible health conditions.

What are the Health Effects of Benzene?

Benzene exposure can be adversely detrimental to your health and even deadly. The chemical benzene is a clear, colorless and flammable liquid that is typically found in materials such as plastics, rubber, resins and synthetic fibers. While high levels of benzene exposure have been associated with leukemia, even minimal amounts can pose a serious risk. The federal government and the Environmental Protection Agency have strictly regulated benzene exposure due to the substantial health risks posed by the chemical substance.

Benzene is known as a carcinogen, which is a substance recognized to cause cancer. In addition to the threat of cancer, long-term benzene exposure has been shown to cause rapid heart rate, drowsiness, tremors, vomiting and nausea, unconsciousness and even death. Low levels of benzene exposure can also pose significant health risks such as anemia, immune system depression and nervous system disorders.

As far back as the 1920s, Benzene was linked to leukemia. More recent studies have confirmed this link, including "Review of epidemiologic evidence on benzene and lymphatic and hematopoietic cancers," Savitz DA, Andrews KW, Am J Ind Med. 1997 Mar; 31(3):287-95.

Who is at Risk from Benzene?

While there are many risks for benzene exposure, those most at risk are people in professions that are exposed to petroleum solvents. Despite the government’s attempts to ban benzene as a solvent, it is still widely used.

Especially at risk occupations:

• 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

These workers can be exposed to highly dangerous levels of benzene through inhalation and skin absorption.

If you or a loved one suffers from AML and has been exposed to benzene in your workplace, please contact us today to protect your interests.

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