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Benzene and Leukemia Lawsuits

Benzene’s Harmful Effects
Benzene and Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
Benzene Uses Today
Minimal Benzene Exposure Still Dangerous
What is Leukemia?
Types of Leukemia

Benzene’s Harmful Effects

Benzene is a well known genotoxic carcinogen and has caused great concern historically as an occupational health hazard. Current concern and study is centered on the effects of long term continuous low concentrations of exposure to benzene both occupationally and environmentally. Excessive repeated exposure to benzene is generally associated with a marked decrease in the number of cells in the bone marrow, with the strongest evidence linking it with lymphohaematopoietic cancers, particularly acute non-lymphocytic leukemia. Most of the evidence derives from industrial studies of workers exposed to benzene, often as a constituent of a complex mixture. These include the shoemaking, printing, petrochemical, chemical, coke production, and rubber manufacturing industries.

Exposed workers that have developed leukemia may have inhaled vapors from the benzene or absorbed it through their skin. Although benzene has been banned as a solvent for a number of years, many industrial workers – or even people living near industrial plants – are developing leukemias through old or indirect exposure.

If you have been diagnosed with an unexplained leukemia, and if you think your disease may be related to your work or other exposure to benzene or another dangerous chemical, please contact us. The Matthews Law Firm offers a FREE case evaluation for all clients, and if we cannot help you we will help direct you to someone who can.

Benzene and Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)

There is strong evidence linking high levels of exposure to benzene with an increased risk of developing acute myelogenous leukemia. Since the first cases of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) were reported in workers exposed to high concentrations of benzene in shoe manufacturing and rotogravure plants, there have been extensive investigations of the role of benzene in the causation of such diseases. The data generated to date strongly reflects a convincing link between high-level benzene exposure and AML.

Benzene Uses Today

Benzene is a versatile industrial chemical. It is a natural component of crude and refined petroleum products. It is also formed in the combustion of organic materials. Benzene is used primarily as a raw material in the manufacture of synthetic organic chemicals. In the past, benzene was used extensively as an organic solvent. It was also an important component of paint, thinners, adhesives, and degreasing compounds. Although it is rarely used in commercial products today, it is still present in many organic compounds as a contaminant.

However, exposure to benzene is not limited to the occupational setting. Non-occupational exposure originating from the general environment is not uncommon. The investigations of the US Environmental Protection Agency have shown that the major route of personal exposure is through the air. Living close to major fixed sources of benzene (e.g., oil refineries, storage tanks, and chemical plants) had no effect on personal exposure.

Minimal Benzene Exposure Still Dangerous

The exposure levels that have been associated with cancer have ranged from less than 5 years to people exposed for more than 30 years. These workers have died of rare forms of Leukemia. Long-term exposure may also adversely impact bone marrow and blood production.

A number of studies and reviews of leukemia and its relationship to Benzene exposure have been published. Researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Public Health, concluded that benzene was linked to many forms of leukemia including acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) as well as acute and chronic lymphocytic and myeloid leukemia. [Savitz, D., and Andrews, K.,"Review of Epidemiologic Evidence on Benzene and Lymphatic and Hematopoietic Cancers," Amer. J. Industrial Health 31:287-295 (1997).]

What is Leukemia?

Leukemias are malignant diseases that affect the blood and bone marrow.

When leukemia develops, the body produces large numbers of abnormal blood cells. In most types of leukemia, the abnormal cells are white blood cells. The leukemia cells usually look different from normal blood cells, and they do not function properly.

Exposed workers that have developed leukemia may have inhaled vapors from the benzene or absorbed it through their skin.

Types of Leukemia

There are several types of leukemia. They are grouped in two ways. One way is by how quickly the disease develops and gets worse. The other way is by the type of blood cell that is affected.

Leukemia is either acute or chronic. In acute leukemia, the abnormal blood cells are blasts that remain very immature and cannot carry out their normal functions. The number of blasts increases rapidly, and the disease gets worse quickly. In chronic leukemia, some blast cells are present, but in general, these cells are more mature and can carry out some of their normal functions. Also, the number of blasts increases less rapidly than in acute leukemia. As a result, chronic leukemia gets worse gradually.

Leukemia can arise in either of the two main types of white blood cells -- lymphoid cells or myeloid cells. When leukemia affects lymphoid cells, it is called lymphocytic leukemia. When myeloid cells are affected, the disease is called myeloid or myelogenous leukemia.

The four major types of leukemia are:

o Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) occurs in both adults and children. This type of leukemia is sometimes called acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL);

o Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of leukemia in young children. This disease also affects adults, especially those age 65 and older.;

o Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) occurs mainly in adults. A very small number of children also develop this disease; and,

o Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) most often affects adults over the age of 55. It sometimes occurs in younger adults, but it almost never affects children.