Benzene
Lawyers – Lake Charles, Louisiana
What is Benzene?
Benzene is a highly flammable, clear, colorless,
sweet-smelling liquid used in the production of
plastics, paints, rubber, resins, detergents,
lubricants, drugs, pesticides, and synthetic fabrics.
Benzene is predominantly found in petroleum refineries
and is a naturally occurring compound of gasoline
and crude oil.
Benzene
Health Effects
Long-term exposure to
benzene has been associated with several diseases,
including anemia, leukemia, and conditions characterized
by the depression of the immune system such as
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
- Acute
Myelogenous or Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
- also known as acute myelogenous leukemia,
acute granulocytic leukemia, and acute nonlymphocytic
leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia is defined
as a malignancy of blood-forming tissues that
results in an excess of immature white blood
cells. The malignant cells begin to replace
bone marrow and normal blood cells cease to
function. Symptoms of this disease include but
are not limited to: prolonged bleeding, skin
rash, fatigue, bone pain, and weight loss.
- Secondary
Aplastic Anemia - also known as acquired
aplastic anemia, secondary anemia is defined
as a failure of the bone marrow to form blood
cells and is characterized by a reduction in
all types of blood cells. Symptoms of this disease
include but are not limited to: fatigue, weakness,
shortness of breath, and rapid heart rate.
- Myelodysplasia
- a condition characterized by the abnormal
formation of bone marrow cells.
- Myelodysplastic
Syndromes - a group of conditions characterized
by changes in the bone marrow that suggest a
pre-leukaemic state.
- Non-Hodgkin's
Lymphoma - also known as lymphocytic
lymphoma, histiocytic lymphoma, and lymphoblastic
lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is defined
as a malignancy in the lymphatic tissue (lymph
nodes, spleen, etc.). Symptoms of this disease
include but are not limited to: enlarged lymph
nodes, fever, weight loss, and excessive sweating.
- Chronic
Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) - also known
as chronic granulocytic leukemia, chronic myelogenous
leukemia is defined as a rapid growth of the
blood forming cells in bone marrow, body tissues,
and blood that causes bone marrow failure. Symptoms
of this disease include but are not limited
to: fever, bone pain, enlarged spleen, and fatigue.
- Acute
Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) - also known
as acute childhood leukemia, acute lymphocytic
leukemia is defined as a malignant cancer characterized
by an accumulation of immature white blood cells.
The malignant cells begin to replace bone marrow
and normal blood cells cease to function. Symptoms
of this disease include but are not limited
to: prolonged bleeding, skin rash, fatigue,
bone pain, and weight loss.
- Chronic
Lymphacitic Leukemia (CLL) and Multiple
Myeloma have also been linked to benzene
exposure.
If you or a loved one has been
exposed to benzene and suffer from one of the
diseases listed above, please contact the benzene
attorneys at Baggett, McCall, Burgess, Watson & Gaughan
– located in Lake Charles, Louisiana –
for a free consultation.
Benzene-Related
Occupations
Workers in petroleum refineries
and workers involved in the transportation of
benzene and benzene-containing products are most
at risk of suffering health effects from benzene
exposure. This includes those involved with the
transportation of benzene, gasoline, or crude
oil by truck, barge, or railroad. Other high risk
groups include workers who are involved in the
production of plastics, paints, rubber, resins,
detergents, lubricants, drugs, or pesticides as
well as those in the synthetic and printing industries.
Finally, anyone who works in an industry that
produces or uses benzene will be exposed to higher
levels of the chemical than the general population.
As an important aside, the
general population can also become exposed to
benzene by drinking water from a contaminated
well. Contamination occurs when an underground
storage tank begins to leak - all wells within
a half-mile radius will be exposed.
If you or a loved one
work or live in an environment where you are exposed
to benzene, you may be entitled to compensation.
Please contact the benzene attorneys at Baggett, McCall, Burgess, Watson & Gaughan – located in
Lake Charles, Louisiana – for a free case
evaluation.
Also if you believe you have
had significant long-term benzene exposure, regular
medical checkups are important so contact your
physician.
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