Florida Benzene Defect Attorneys
What Is Benzene?
Benzene is a colorless, non-corrosive, and highly flammable liquid that has a very sweet scent. Benzene is a major component in many industrial chemicals; it can be found in plastics, nylon, and synthetic fibers. It is also used to produce dyes, detergents, pesticides, resins, and other industrial chemicals. Benzene is so common that it is one of the largest produced chemicals in the United States, ranking in the top twenty mass-produced chemicals in the nation.
Benzene has been found to be a common carcinogen, or a substance that causes cancer. Unfortunately, with so much benzene being produced in the United States, occupational exposure is unavoidable. Workers have died from leukemia that were exposed to benzene for less than five years, a startling figure considering how many workers are exposed to the substance each and every year. If you were harmed by benzene exposure, our Tampa product liability lawyers at The Florida Law Group can explain your rights to you and possibly pursue compensation on your behalf.
Workers at Risk of High Benzene Exposure
Workers who are exposed to high levels of benzene are at the highest risk for developing leukemia. These industries would include petroleum refining, petrochemicals, coal chemical manufacturing, rubber tire manufacturing, and even industries that store or transport benzene or other petroleum-containing products.
Many occupations are at risk for toxic exposure to benzene including:
- Gas station workers
- Gasoline truck drivers
- Oil refinery workers
- Maritime workers
- Steelworkers
- Chemical plant employees
- Mechanics
Benzene exposure is not limited to workers who are in direct contact with the substance. People are at risk for inhaling the toxic chemical when there are gasoline leaks from underground storage tanks, industrial discharge, and unhealthful toxic waste dumping, all of which can create conditions that are hazardous to one’s health if they are in close proximity to the leak or dump site.
Benzene in Household Products
Consumers can be exposed to the substance through many household products such as paint strippers, glues, cleaning products, detergents, art supplies, and even their soft drinks. Sadly, exposure to benzene can cause a number of life-threatening conditions including various types of leukemia.
Exposure to benzene can also cause:
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Hematologic cancers
- Hairy cell leukemia
- Acute myelogenous leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome
Take Legal Action with The Florida Law Group
If you believe you have suffered any of the above conditions as a result of benzene exposure, we at The Florida Law Group are here to seek justice on your behalf. You may be entitled to compensation on behalf of your injuries or occupational disease. It would not be right to make you shoulder the expense of costly medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering due to occupational or environmental exposures beyond your control.
