Benzene Exposure

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Benzene can cause a wide variety of adverse side effects and complications if individuals are exposed to high concentrations of the chemical or are exposed to benzene for long periods of time. Exposure to high concentrations of benzene can result in unconsciousness or death, while long term exposure to benzene has been linked to the development of a wide variety of cancers. There are several ways that individuals can be exposed to levels of benzene that could potentially be dangerous. The most common ways that individuals are exposed to benzene is through the environment, through their occupation, and through accidental exposure. Each of these types of exposure has the potential to be dangerous or fatal to the individuals affected.

Benzene can occur naturally in the environment when carbon-rich elements are burned but do not burn completely. High concentrations of benzene can be found in the areas around forest fires and volcanoes where carbon rich materials burn almost constantly. Breathing in the air in these locations can be enough to cause benzene poisoning, resulting in dizziness, headaches, confusion, and unconsciousness. Breathing the high levels of benzene in these areas for an extended period of time can result in death. Lower levels of benzene can be released into the environment by filling stations, cigarette smoke, automobile service stations, and emissions from industrial plants. Although the levels of benzene in these areas are not very high, long term exposure to the benzene in these areas can still cause adverse effects.

Another common way that individuals are exposed to dangerous levels of benzene is through occupational exposure. There are many industries that use benzene in their everyday operations, increasing the risk that their employees will be exposed to dangerous levels of benzene. The amount of benzene manufactured annually for use in various industries totals in the millions of gallons, resulting in profits totaling in the billions of dollars. Benzene is commonly used to manufacture drugs, synthetic fibers, lubricants, dyes, and pesticides. Individuals that have worked in industries that commonly use benzene in their production are at an increased risk of developing the adverse side effects associated with long term exposure to benzene.

The third way that individuals can be exposed to dangerous concentrations of benzene is through accidental exposure. Benzene has the ability to contaminate water, soil, and food and the ingestion of the contaminated items can make an individual very ill. Most of the benzene found to contaminate water and soil has been released through industrial processes and experts estimate that there are over 100,000 sites of benzene contamination in the United States alone. Benzene dissolves only slightly in water with the majority of the chemical resting on the top of the water. Benzene can also be released from the contaminated water and soil into the air, making the air dangerous to breath for long periods of time. The ingestion of food contaminated with benzene can result in nausea, vomiting, dizziness, convulsions, and death. Individuals may also be exposed to benzene in their homes by breathing the fumes of some cleaning supplies, lubrications, glues, or paints.

Why You Should Choose Schmidt & Clark, LLP

"Our law firm has substantial expertise in the highly specialized field of occupational and environmental Benzene exposure litigation"

There are many law firms in the United States that advertise their legal services for Benzene lawsuits, however most of these law firms do not actually litigate them. You can contact our law firm with confidence in knowing that we have earned the nationwide respect and recognition from our peers for the successful representation of Benzene exposure clients and their families.

If you or a loved one have been exposed to Benzene and developed a form of leukemia or other blood related disease, you should contact us immediately. You may be entitled to compensation and we can help.

Do I have a Benzene Lawsuit?

The Toxic Tort Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus exclusively on the representation of plaintiffs in Benzene lawsuits. We are handling individual and group litigation nationwide and currently accepting new Benzene cases in all 50 states.

Attention Attorneys: We do not publish prior verdict/settlements. If you are an attorney and would like to refer us a case or for us to send you a profile of prior award judgments or average referral fees, please visit the attorney referral section of our website.

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