Most people today are aware that exposure to asbestos can lead to harmful and potentially deadly side effects, but may not realize that many businesses and industrial production facilities use other toxic chemicals like benzene. Benzene exposure can cause a person to develop a wide range of short and long-term side effects. Consistent exposure can ultimately cause the development of cancer and lead to an untimely benzene exposure-related death.
As a liquid, benzene has no color, does not dissolve significantly in water, and gives off a sweet smell. It does not evaporate easily. Benzene can be found as naturally occurring in crude oil, volcanoes, and after forest fires. It is also commonly used in many manufacturing processes and is one of the top twenty chemicals used in America even today.
If you work in or near a manufacturing facility for many goods and materials including rubbers, plastics, lubricants, dyes, drugs, detergents, pesticides, and others, you are most likely exposed to benzene on a regular basis.
With regard to short-term benzene exposure, if you think that you have suffered benzene exposure, right away you must get as far away from the chemical as possible. The effects of long-term benzene exposure are more severe and lasting than those of short-term.
Benzene exposure can result in cancer and other serious, non-cancer health complications including Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and Aplastic anemia.
If you are concerned that you have suffered benzene exposure, it is important to tell your doctor or other health care professional about your concerns because it will help them in determining diagnosis and treatment.
Legal recourse for benzene exposure
If you or someone you love has suffered from health complications due to benzene exposure, contact a benzene exposure lawyer today to determine whether you are entitled to compensation. There are time constraints on benzene exposure lawsuits, so it is important to contact a benzene cancer lawyer in your area as soon as possible.