Benzene Exposure

Benzene is commonly used in the United States; it places in the top 20 chemicals for production quantityIn some industries benzene is used to make other chemicals which in turn are used to make plastics, nylon, resin and synthetic fibersBenzene can also be used to make some types of rubbers, dyes, lubricants, pesticides, detergents, and drugs.

Benzene can occur from natural sources such as volcanoes and forest fires. Benzene is naturally found in crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke.

Benzene is a colorless liquid and has a sweet odor It evaporates into the air rapidly and is slightly water solubleBenzene is highly flammableThe chemical has been detected in at least 813 of the 1,430 National Priorities List sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

(1) Outdoor air contains low levels of benzene from tobacco smoke, automobile service stations, exhaust from motor vehicles, and industrial emissions; (2) Indoor air generally contains higher levels of benzene from household products containing benzene such as glues, paints, furniture wax, and detergents; (3) Air around gas stations and hazardous waste sites will contain elevated levels of benzene; (4) Seepage from underground storage tanks or from hazardous waste sites containing benzene can result in benzene contamination of well water; (5) People working in industries making or using benzene may possibly have the highest exposure to it; and (6) A key source of benzene exposure comes from tobacco smoke.

Inhalation of extremely high levels of benzene can cause deathSymptoms of breathing high levels can cause drowsiness, tremors, headaches, rapid heart rate, dizziness, confusion, and unconsciousnessConsumption of foods containing high levels of benzene can result in vomiting, irritation of the stomach, sleepiness, convulsions, dizziness, rapid heart rate, and death.

There are numerous chemicals containing benzene compounds:

Benzene can be listed under the following names:

• Benzol 90
• Pyrobenzol
• Polystream
• Coal naphtha
• Phene

If you are employed in any of the following industries, you need to be aware of benzene exposure levels:

• Plastics
• Paints
• Rubber
• Resins
• Synthetic Fabrics
• Detergents
• Lubricants
• Pesticides
• Crude Oil/Gasoline

A long-term side effect of inhaling benzene for an extended period of time is leukemia (a form of cancer).

Leukemia is the name of the medical condition for a type of cancers that damage the body’s blood cell producing ability.

The Law offices of Carabin Shaw protect the rights of wrongfully injured and ill people throughout the entire State of Texas including: Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Sherman, Denison, Tyler, Longview, Texarkana, and Marshall If you or a loved one has an illness related to benzene, or has passed away due to benzene exposure, contact the law offices of Carabin Shaw today We have eleven offices through out the State of Texas to serve you

Fill out the form on the right of your screen or Call Now - 800-862-1260

For more information about Benzene exposure see our other web pages:

• Workplace Hazard
• Industries Often Affected
• EPA Early Warning Available To Employers
• Leukemia Defined
• Types of Leukemia
• AML
• Benzene Wrongful Death

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