Benzene and Other Toxic Solvents and Chemicals
Benzene is known to cause cancer in humans. Occupational exposure to benzene has been linked to blood cancers and related disorders. Examples of blood diseases that may be caused by work-related exposure to benzene include acute myelogenous leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome (which can progress into acute myelogenous leukemia), aplastic anemia, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Other toxic solvents and chemicals might also be a cause of such blood cancers and disorders, as well.
Benzene is a kind of chemical known as a "volatile aromatic hydrocarbon." Once used as a solvent itself, benzene is today a commodity found in solvents, de-greasers and mineral spirits. It is also contained in products used to clean and de-grease machine parts, tools and metal parts. Benzene is also used in the production of plastics, resin, rubber, nylon, dye, glue, detergent and pesticides. It is even used in the production of chemicals such as styrene. It naturally occurs in crude oil and is a component of such petroleum products as gasoline and jet fuel.
Documented cases of benzene-related blood diseases date back to before the 19th Century. The relationship between leukemia and benzene was first reported in 1928. The American Petroleum Institute in 1948 published a report noting a causal connection between benzene exposure and leukemia, noting that the only safe level of benzene exposure is no exposure at all. Since that time, numerous studies have shown that a number of trades–including painters, plastics workers, petroleum refinery workers, 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 use benzene or related solvents and chemicals risk exposure to benzene by breathing the vapors from the chemicals. Workers can also absorb benzene through their skin -- for example, by handling rags soaked with solvents or accidentally getting solvents on their skin. Liquid Wrench is an example of a related brand of mineral spirits that contained benzene at one time.
This Web site is sponsored by the law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. Please understand that the information provided is not legal advice, but is simply offered as a resource to help you learn about leukemia, lymphoma and benzene.
Benzene can cause leukemia and lymphoma and other blood cancers and disorders. If you have been diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma cancer and would like information about your legal rights, please call us at 800-946-9646.
Please also visit our glossary for helpful definitions of medical terms relating to the diagnosis and treatment of leukemia and lymphoma.
