Introduction

Benzene is a clear, "sweet" smelling liquid chemical that has dangerous and deadly effects on those exposed to it for long periods of time — or even short periods of time at high concentrations.  As noted below, benzene is classified as a Class A carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The major problem with benzene derives from its use in a wide range of man-made products, including solvents, detergents, plastics, synthetic fibers, dyes, rubber, resins, paint, and many other items.  It is commonly found in the petroleum industry, where workers who inhale vapors of petroleum-based solvents run an elevated risk of developing acute myelogenous leukemia (AML leukemia). Some of these high risk group occupations have been identified as (1) chemical workers, (2) refinery workers, (3) rubber workers, (4) printing industry workers, (5) leather workers, (6) press workers, (7) painters, and (8) gasoline distributors.

Benzene is known to be responsible for a number of health disorders, and is linked with various types of leukemia, among other illnesses.  The cancers that have been linked to benzene exposure include AML leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), hairy cell leukemia (HCL), non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkin’s disease, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

According to a new study released by the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state governments may be underreporting refinery and chemical plant toxic air emissions. Benzene is one of the chemicals identified in the study, found at levels considered to be of “startling magnitude.” The study was based on findings by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and asserts the EPA has for years knowingly underreported air pollution data in its annual Toxic Release Inventory data, exposing the public to toxic air pollution at much higher levels than acknowledged.

Certain industries create occupational conditions with high levels of benzene exposure. Since benzene is a human carcinogen that causes leukemia, workers in these industries have a high incidence of the disease. Although benzene can no longer be used in the U.S. as a solvent, people can still be exposed to dangerous benzene levels from other sources. The EIP study estimates air emissions containing benzene and other carcinogens like butadiene from refineries and chemical plants are underestimated by 330 million pounds every year.

Have You or a Family Member Been Exposed to Benzene and Have a Serious Medical Condition?

If you have, you need to protect your rights immediately.  Often a family waits until it is too late to obtain a recovery due to the passage of time. If you believe that you have been injured by benzene exposure, you need to immediately contact an attorney.

Contact Audet & Partners, LLP ― We Can Help You

Our firm was one of the first to actually initiate Benzene cases.  We generally work with local attorneys in your area and serve as “lead” counsel in the case.  We have a network of local counsel and Benzene experts throughout the United States . Based on the past work of our attorneys in similar cases, we are well respected in the legal community and well known for our aggressive, but ethical, representation of our injured clients.  We urge you to contact us anytime by telephone or by email to learn more about our firm and our past litigation experience in this field of legal work.