Workplace Exposure to Benzene

Documented cases of benzene-related blood diseases date back to before the turn of the Twentieth Century. As early as 1928, health experts reported a correlation between exposure to benzene and leukemia. In 1948, the American Petroleum Institute published a report linking benzene exposure to leukemia, concluding that the only safe level of benzene exposure is no exposure at all. Since that date, various studies have demonstrated that a number of trades – including petroleum refinery and petrochemical workers, plastics workers, steel workers, painters, gasoline distribution workers, chemical workers, rubber workers, and printing press operators – have an increased risk of developing leukemia and other blood cancers and blood disorders as a result of their work-related exposure to benzene.

Workers who work with or around benzene or related solvents and chemicals may be exposed to benzene by inhaling vapors that evaporate from the chemicals. Workers can also absorb benzene through their skin from touching or handling solvents and chemicals – for example, by using rags soaked with solvents or mineral spirits, cleaning tools with solvents, or accidentally splashing solvents on the skin. Liquid Wrench is one popular brand of mineral spirits that contained benzene. Studies have shown that even relatively low levels of benzene exposure can be related to the development of leukemia and other blood cancers and blood disorders.

For over 29 years, the law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. has fought to safeguard the rights of victims of toxic substances like benzene. The Leukemia Lawyer Web site is a service of Baron & Budd, P.C.