Benzene

Benzene Injury Attorneys

Benzene is a hydrocarbon that is used in the manufacture of plastics, detergents, pesticides, glues, paints, furniture wax and other chemicals. A component of products derived from coal and petroleum and found in gasoline and other fuels, benzene is present in the outdoor environment, in the workplace and in the home. Although the general population is exposed to small amounts of benzene every day primarily from tobacco smoke, automobile service stations, exhaust from motor vehicles, and industrial emissions, employees in industries that make or use Benzene may be exposed to the highest levels and are at risk of serious health complications.

If you believe you have been harmed by Benzene in the workplace, contact Munley, Munley & Cartwright for free consultation at 877-421-9173. Our attorneys have been helping Pennsylvania clients with workplace injury claims for more than 40 years.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as many as 238,000 U.S. workers may be occupationally exposed to Benzene each year. That exposure occurs in various industries including benzene production (petrochemicals, petroleum refining, and coke and coal chemical manufacturing), rubber tire manufacturing, and storage or transport of petroleum products containing benzene.

Other workers who may be exposed to benzene include coke oven workers in the steel industry, printers, rubber workers, shoe makers, laboratory technicians, firefighters, and gas station employees.

Research has shown benzene to be a human carcinogen. Some workers exposed for as few as five years have developed leukemia. Long-term exposure may affect bone marrow and blood production. Short-term exposure to high levels of benzene can cause drowsiness, dizziness, unconsciousness, and even death. Reproductive effects have been reported for women exposed by inhalation to high levels, and adverse effects on the developing fetus have been observed in animal tests.

Employee Safety Requirements

Under the OSH Act, employers are required to furnish places of employment that "are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees." If you have serious medical conditions and you believe it is linked to exposure to benzene, you may have a claim against your employer who did not provide sufficient workplace safety, or against the manufacturers and/or distributors of benzene.

A knowledgeable attorney in benzene lawsuits will know the applicable laws and the value of your case. At Munley, Munley & Cartwright our firm has built a reputation over 40 years in the courts within our local communities. Our goal is to provide exceptional legal services to our clients. "The Family of Lawyers" at Munley, Munley & Cartwright are experienced and successful toxic chemical litigators. We fight to protect the rights of patients. Contact us now for a free claim evaluation at 877-421-9173

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health lists information regarding levels of exposure of benzene:

•  3,000 parts per million (ppm) is an endurable exposure level of Benzene for ½ to 1 hour
•  19,000 to 20,000 ppm for 5 to 10 minutes is fatal
•  7,500 ppm for 30 minutes is dangerous
•  1,500 ppm for 60 minutes induces serious symptoms
•  500 ppm for 60 minutes leads to symptoms of illness
•  50 to 150 ppm for 5 hours produces headache, lassitude, and weakness
•  25 ppm for 8 hours has no effect.

NIOSH recommends as part of its carcinogen policy that the "most protective" respirators be worn for benzene at concentrations above 0.1 ppm. OSHA currently requires that workers be provided with and required to wear and use the "most protective" respirators in concentrations exceeding 1,000 ppm.

Everyday Exposure and Risk of Contamination

Benzene is a colorless, highly flammable liquid with a sweet odor that evaporates into air very quickly and dissolves slightly in water. Most people can begin to smell benzene in the air at approximately 60 parts per million parts of air and recognize it as benzene at 100 ppm. Most people can begin to taste benzene in water at 0.5–4.5 ppm. One ppm is approximately equal to one drop in 40 gallons.

Anyone may be exposed to high levels of benzene if there is a spill or leak from a benzene industrial site resulting in contamination of ground water and drinking supplies. Eating foods or drinking liquids containing high levels of benzene can cause vomiting, irritation of the stomach, dizziness, sleepiness, convulsions, rapid heart rate, coma, and death.

Gasoline and cigarette smoke are two main sources of human exposure to benzene. Benzene exposure can be reduced by limiting contact with these sources. People are exposed to benzene from both active smoking and from second-hand smoke. On average, smokers take in about 10 times more benzene than nonsmokers each day. Families are encouraged not to smoke in their house, in enclosed environments, or near their children.

Children can be affected by benzene exposure in the same ways as adults. Benzene can pass from the mother’s blood to a fetus. It is not known if children are more susceptible to benzene poisoning than adults.

Contact Us Today

If you or a loved one has been injured by exposure to Benzene, it is important that you choose your lawyer carefully. Contact Munley, Munley & Cartwright for a free consultation or call us toll free at 877-421-9173.