Benzene Information

Benzene is colorless liquid with a characteristic odor and burning taste that is one of the most commonly used solvents in the United States. Benzene is used as an additive in gasoline and an ingredient in paints, inks, adhesives, rubbers, glues, old spot removers, and furniture wax. Benzene is also used to make some types of plastics, glues, rubbers, lubricants, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides. It is also natural component of cigarette smoke.

Benzene is a known human carcinogen and long-term exposure to benzene can cause leukemia, a cancer of the blood-forming organs. There are ways that you can be exposed to Benzene and they include:

- Working in industries that make or use benzene (highest level of risk).
- From indoor air that contains benzene from products that contain it such as glues, paints, furniture wax, and detergents.
- Air around hazardous waste sites or gas stations
- Leakage into well water from underground storage tanks or from hazardous waste sites containing benzene.
- Cigarette smoke.

Industrial processes are the main source of benzene in the environment. Benzene can pass into the air from water and soil. It reacts with other chemicals in the air and breaks down within a few days. Benzene in the air can attach to rain or snow and be carried back down to the ground. It breaks down more slowly in water and soil, and can pass through the soil into underground water.

During 1967, there was about 800 million gallons of benzene produced in the U.S., and by 1969, the amount of benzene increased to 1,185 million gallons with approximately 16% of the productions derived from coal. Over 3 million people in the workplace are potentially exposed to the human carcinogen benzene every year despite the workplace standards that have been enacted over the years. EPA estimates show that exposure to benzene has affected 50% of the U.S. population through industrial sources. Benzene has been known to cause Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, and other forms of cancer and leukemia.

If you or someone you love has been exposed to benzene and are suffering from adverse side effects, please contact our service today. We can put you in touch with qualified Benzene attorneys that are experienced with occupational hazard and personal injury cases.