Occupations and Jobs at Risk to Benzene Exposure

Exposure in the work place to benzene may cause acute myelogenous leukemia. While benzene has been banned in the United States for over 20 years, workers are still exposed to significant amounts of benzene poisoning when working with petroleum products. Most workers come into contact with benzene by breathing it into their lungs or absorbing it through their skin when working with solvents. In the U.S. millions of workers are exposed to significant amounts of benzene every year. Even small amounts of exposure to benzene can cause acute myelogenous leukemia cancer.

High-risk Benzene Exposure Jobs

Benzene Exposure Side Effects

Breathing very high levels of benzene can result in death. High levels of benzene exposure can cause drowsiness, dizziness, rapid heart rate, headaches, tremors, confusion, and unconsciousness. Eating or drinking foods containing high levels of benzene can cause vomiting, irritation of the stomach, dizziness, sleepiness, convulsions, rapid heart rate, and death.

The major effect of benzene from long-term exposure is on the blood. Benzene causes harmful effects on the bone marrow and can cause a decrease in red blood cells leading to anemia. It can also cause excessive bleeding and can affect the immune system, increasing the chance for infection.

Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene in the air can cause leukemia, particularly acute myelogenous leukemia, often referred to as AML. This is a cancer of the blood-forming organs. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that benzene is a known carcinogen. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the EPA have determined that benzene is carcinogenic to humans.

Toxic Benzene Exposure Side Effects

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 Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
• Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
• Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML)
• Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL)
• 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.

Benzene Lawsuits – Talk to a Benzene Lawyer

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) then you need to consult with an attorney to discuss a potential benzene exposure lawsuit. Talk to a Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer, certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, with over 23 years of experience. Call for a free confidential benzene lawsuit evaluation or click the link below and fill out our free online case evaluation form.

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