California Benzene Exposure Lawyers

Benzene is a clear, colorless, noncorrosive, highly flammable liquid with a strong odor. It is used primarily to make other chemicals and plastics. It is commonly found in solvents, degreasers, in the dye, dry cleaning and petroleum industry.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Benzene

Q: What is benzene?

A: Since the 1800s, benzene, a clear, colorless, and practically odorless solvent, has been used in many industries to make dyes, lubricants and numerous other products. Benzene is a natural byproduct when wood burns, such as during forest fires or volcano eruptions. Most people are exposed to benzene in the air, from cigarette smoke or car exhaust. Benzene is now a closely-regulated, but widely-used chemical, classified as a carcinogen, or cancer-causing agent.

Q: What are the symptoms of overexposure to benzene?

A: Some symptoms of short-term benzene exposure may include shortness of breath, dizziness, drowsiness and unconsciousness. You may naturally inhale benzene, consume it through food or water, or have skin or dermal exposure to benzene. Longer-term exposure to benzene affects the production of new blood cells, which may be stopped or dramatically reduced because of the exposure. Long-term exposure may lead to leukemia or lymphomas.

Benzene exposure, even in small amounts, can seriously affect your health. If you have questions about benzene exposure, please contact a personal injury attorney for straightforward solutions that will work for you.

If you have been diagnosed with a benzene-related disease or injury, you may be entitled to damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and disability. Our attorneys specialize in personal injury cases involving toxic exposure (toxic torts), allowing our firm to offer unparalleled representation and highly personalized service for our clients. Our firm will take the time needed to understand you and your situation, and will work hard to obtain the compensation you need for illnesses and disabilities associated with benzene exposure.

Please contact us online or call our offices toll free at 1-800-933-2244 for a free consultation.

Benzene-Related Diseases

Benzene has been shown to be the cause of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and aplastic anemia. These illnesses may affect you shortly after exposure to benzene or take years to develop.

Workers at Risk for Benzene Exposure

Workers in the petroleum industry, tire workers, mechanics, and painters are among groups who are exposed to benzene, both through inhaled fumes and contact with the skin.

The following is intended to provide you with a general overview of the practical and legal issues related to benzene exposure cases. Please contact us to discuss your unique situation.

We help people throughout the United States, specifically California and these cities, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, Richmond, Hayward, Fremont, Stockton, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Palm Springs, Bakersfield, Fresno, San Leandro, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, San Rafael, Santa Cruz.

Benzene - An Overview

Benzene, a clear, colorless, and practically odorless solvent, has been used since the 1800s in many industries to make dyes, solvents, lubricants and many more products. Benzene is a natural byproduct when wood is burned, such as during forest fires or volcano eruptions. Most people are exposed to very low levels of benzene in the air from cigarette smoke or car exhaust. Benzene is highly regulated, but widely used in many industrial applications, including as an additive in gasoline.

Large quantities of benzene are produced each year in the United States. More than 4.4 million pounds of benzene were produced in the U S in 1985. The majority of benzene is utilized as a component of gasoline, in a concentration of less than one percent. Benzene is an important additive in unleaded fuels because it aids in the elimination of engine knocking.

Benzene has been classified as a cancer-causing agent. Exposure to benzene, even in small amounts, can be dangerous to health.

How Can Benzene Affect my Health?

Inhaling low levels of benzene can cause drowsiness, dizziness, rapid heart rate, headaches, tremors, confusion and unconsciousness. Breathing very high levels of benzene can result in death. Eating foods with high levels of benzene can cause vomiting, irritation of the stomach, dizziness, sleepiness, convulsions, rapid heart rate, and death.

Although common exposure is typically due to tobacco smoke or fumes at automobile service stations, benzene evaporates quickly into the air and can easily enter the drinking water supply as well. Since benzene dissolves easily in water, it is very important to have your drinking water tested if there is clear risk of contamination. Old underground gasoline storage tanks may slowly leak gasoline and leach into the water table.

What is Benzene?

Benzene is a flammable, colorless, slightly sweet smelling gas that has been used in a wide variety of industries since its discovery in the 19th century. Benzene appears in nature when materials rich in carbon burn, such as wood or coal. Most people are exposed to low levels of benzene in the air from cigarette smoke or car exhaust.

This extremely toxic compound was first found in gas emitted by burning coal. The first use of benzene was in a compound called coal tar used in houses and street lamps. As coal tar became more widely used, scientists and doctors became aware of side effects related to benzene.

How to Protect Yourself from Benzene Exposure

Over 300,000 people per year are exposed to benzene. Many do not know how to protect themselves adequately from the toxicity of the chemical. The following precautions should be followed to prevent illness or injury.

General Precautions

A regulated, marked area should be established where benzene is handled, used, or stored. If you need to enter a designated area, wear protective work clothing and a respirator. Wash exposed skin immediately after exposure to benzene, and at the end of each work shift. Hazard and warning information should be present in the work area. In addition, communicate all information on the health and safety hazards of benzene to workers.

Diseases Associated with Benzene Exposure

More than 17 diseases are linked to benzene exposure. The most common of these are

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
Acute myelogenous leukemia is a disease in which cancerous cells are found in the bone marrow and blood. Patients with lowered red blood cell counts will show classic signs of anemia: fatigue, shortness of breath and a pale complexion. Some bleeding or bruising may be evident and there may be pain in some of the joints.