Benzene Exposure: Risks, Health Impacts, and Legal Options

The Genesis of Benzene Exposure

Crude oil and gasoline naturally contain benzene, numerous industries use benzene as a component chemical to make plastics, rubber, synthetic fibers, and other materials. Manufacturing companies use it as a component in certain industrial solvents used for cleaning, and in certain industrial adhesives and glues. Even when benzene is not added to a product, benzene is also found in other chemicals that are used to make products.

Workers in manufacturing plants, refineries, automotive service, printing companies and some occupational painters face heightened risks due to regular benzene exposure. It is a component that can be found in products used by automotive mechanics to clean and repair. It can be found in liquid solvents that are used by various types of workers to remove grease and rust from cars and machines, or in adhesives and glues used to repair pipes and machines. It can also be found in paint strippers/removers and varnishes.

But it’s not just confined to industrial settings—consumers may unwittingly encounter benzene in cigarette smoke, automobile emissions, and certain household products.

Legal Avenues for Those Affected by Benzene Exposure

Many workers and individuals who have been diagnosed with a benzene-related cancer or disease are not even aware that benzene could be the cause of their disease.  All those individuals know is that they have a disease that threatens their life. They have a disease that forces them to endure rounds of chemotherapy and possible surgery for stem cell transplants to replace the damaged cells with healthy cells.

In the aftermath of being diagnosed with cancer or another disease caused by benzene exposure, pursuing legal recourse can provide people with a sense of justice that their pain and suffering has not been in vain. Whether the exposure occurred in the workplace, through consumer products, or environmental contamination, there are ways for the victims of benzene to seek justice.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Regulations

OSHA regulations mandate employers to provide safe working environments, free from hazardous substances like benzene. Failure to adhere to these standards can result in severe penalties and liability for ensuing damages. Workers have the right to report unsafe conditions and seek redress for harm caused by benzene exposure in the workplace.

Personal Injury Lawsuits

Victims of benzene exposure can explore personal injury lawsuits against negligent parties, be it product manufacturers/distributers/sellers, property owners, or entities responsible for environmental pollution. Proving liability necessitates a meticulous examination of evidence, expert testimony, and legal precedent. An experienced attorney specializing in toxic tort litigation can offer invaluable guidance, advocating for the rights and interests of those afflicted by benzene-induced cancer and other blood disorders.

Forging a Path Forward From Benzene Exposure

Manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of products containing benzene have, for decades, failed to warn consumers of the presence and significant danger of benzene. Workers using benzene containing products are particularly vulnerable because most do not know that benzene is in these products and are unaware that benzene is so toxic.

The journey from vulnerability to vindication for an individual harmed by benzene is fraught with challenges and uncertainties. Yet, the hope for justice for those whose lives have been irrevocably altered by benzene is real.  As we navigate the complexities of this multifaceted issue, let us remain steadfast in our pursuit of a safer, healthier future for workers in all occupations that are at risk for benzene exposure.