Benzene.LifeTips.com

Transcription

1 Benzene.LifeTips.com

2 Category: Benzene Lawsuits Subcategory: Benzene Lawsuit Information Tip: Claiming damages for exposure to benzene The compensation awarded through a successful benzene lawsuit can vary, but aims to cover factors such as loss of income, medical costs, pain and suffering, and in the case of wrongful death lawsuits, loss of life. The levels of health damage will also determine the amount of compensation received. Tip: Filing a benzene lawsuit An experienced benzene lawyer will have established links with groups and organizations that will enable you to get support and assistance as well as claim compensation for your injuries. By going through a trained benzene lawyer you can avoid many of the pitfalls that may be associated with this type of litigation, and can increase your chances of getting monetary compensation for injuries sustained through exposure to this chemical. Tip: Filing a benzene lawsuit An experienced and qualified benzene lawyer can help you to put together a solid lawsuit if you have been affected by this chemical. In the case of a person that has passed away through illness caused by exposure, a lawyer can help the family to put together a sound wrongful death lawsuit. As well as legal assistance in filing a benzene lawsuit, experienced lawyers within this field will also be able to help put you in touch with support groups and other organizations. Tip: Filing a benzene lawsuit One thing to bear in mind if you are planning to look into filing a Benzene lawsuit is the statute of limitation, which can vary from one state to another. In order to maximize on the chances of success with your lawsuit you should find out what the statute of limitation is for your state, and ensure that you seek legal assistance in a timely manner. Tip: Filing a benzene lawsuit It is important to seek both medical and legal assistance in the event that you think you may have been affected by exposure to this chemical. An experienced benzene lawyer can provide the necessary tools and support to put together a strong case and get as much compensation as possible for benzene related injury. Both those affected and the family of those that may have passed away due to the effects of exposure may be eligible to claim, and this can be determined by contacting a suitably qualified and

3 experienced lawyer. Category: Benzene Litigation Subcategory: Benzene Litigation Information Tip: Claiming damages for exposure to benzene There have already been a number of successful lawsuits filed by those affected by exposure to benzene. Many of these lawsuits have resulted in multi-million dollar compensation awards for those affected by the chemical or the families of those that have died due to their exposure. Tip: Claiming damages for exposure to benzene Although monetary compensation does no make up for the loss of health or life, the compensation awarded through benzene lawsuits goes some way towards helping with medical costs, paying for pain and suffering, and providing a financially stable future for loved ones in the case of terminal illness caused by benzene exposure. Tip: Claiming damages for exposure to benzene The largest civil settlement of its kind in Arizona history involved benzene. In October, 2000, Union Oil Company of California (Unocal) has agreed to pay $675,000 in penalties for delaying the investigation and cleanup of soil and groundwater contamination caused by leaking underground gasoline storage tanks at one of its former Tempe service stations, state officials announced today. The first groundwater samples taken by Unocal from beneath the service station in 1992 showed benzene levels to be as high as 2,200 times Arizona's legal limit for benzene in groundwater. Tip: Claiming damages for exposure to benzene Those suffering from ill health through occupational exposure to benzene may be entitled to compensation for injuries sustained, and the same goes for the families of those that may already have passed away through the ill effects of benzene exposure. Anyone that works with this chemical is advised to seek medical assistance should any symptoms of benzene arise, and should also seek legal assistance. Tip: Filing a benzene lawsuit With millions of workers exposed to benzene each year, the number of cases against various manufacturers and companies is on the increase, and consequently the number of trained benzene lawyers has also risen. This makes it easier for those affected by

4 this chemical to get legal assistance from a professional that is suitably experienced and qualified. Benzene related diseases may develop as late as 29 years after exposure. No amount of money can fully compensate you or a family member who suffers from a benzene related disease. These diseases are painful and debilitating and may result in premature death. The loss of a loved one and the drain on family resources and emotions carry an immeasurable price. Many of these victims or their families are filing lawsuits against companies that exposed them to benzene to cover medical costs and pain and suffering. Category: Cancer and Benzene Subcategory: Benzene and Cancer Tip: The benzene-cancer connection Benzene is linked with an increased risk of leukaemia, and some of the cancers associated with this chemical include acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), hairy cell leukemia (HCL), non-hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkin's disease, multiple myeloma, and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Tip: The benzene-cancer connection Cancer is one of the more serious dangers associated with benzene. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that benzene is a known human carcinogen. Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene in the air can cause leukemia, cancer of the blood-forming organs. Tip: The benzene-cancer connection Leukemia is cancer that originates in the bone marrow, the soft, spongy inner portion of certain bones, and in which the malignant cells are white blood cells (leukocytes). Acute myelogenous leukemia is a malignancy that arises in either granulocytes or monocytes which are white blood cells that battle infectious agents throughout the body. Although the exact cause of AML is unknown, exposure to benzene and cigarettes smoking are linked to the disease. AML occurs in all ages but more often in older adults. With more than 10,000 new luekemia cases diagnosed annually, AML is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults.

5 Category: Exposure to Benzene Subcategory: Benzene Information Tip: First aid for benzene exposure If someone gets splashed with liquid benzene on their skin or in their eyes, do the following. Avoid direct contact with the chemical. Wear chemical protective clothing, if necessary. As quickly as possible, flush with lukewarm, gently flowing water for at least 20 minutes or until chemical is removed. If benzene has gotten into the victim's eyes, immediately flush the contaminated eye(s) with lukewarm, gently flowing water for 20 minutes. Take care not to rinse contamination from one eye into another. Under running water, remove contaminated clothing, shoes and leather goods such as watchbands and belts. Obtain medical attention immediately. Discard contaminated clothing, shoes and leather goods. Tip: How benzene gets into the environment Benzene gets into the environment in a number of ways. Industrial processes are the main source of benzene in the environment. It can pass into the air from water and soil. Likewise, benzene in the air can attach to rain or snow and be carried back down to the ground. It breaks down more slowly in water and soil, and can pass through the soil into underground water. Benzene does not build up in plants or animals. Tip: How benzene gets into the environment When most people think of being exposed to toxic chemicals, they think of industrial sources. In the case of benzene, there is some truth to this. Leakage from underground storage tanks or from hazardous waste sites containing benzene can result in benzene contamination of well water. People working in industries that make or use benzene may be exposed to the highest levels of it. However, a major source of benzene exposure is tobacco smoke. Tip: How benzene gets into the environment Exposure to benzene can happen in a number of ways. Outdoor air contains low levels of benzene from tobacco smoke, automobile service stations, exhaust from motor vehicles, and industrial emissions. It breaks down more slowly in water and soil, and can pass through the soil into underground water. Benzene does not build up in plants or animals. It breaks down more slowly in water and soil, and can pass through the soil into underground water. Benzene does not build up in plants or animals. Air around hazardous waste sites or gas stations will contain higher levels of benzene.

6 Exposure to benzene is controlled by limiting evaporation and preventing splashes and spills. Where exposures may occur, the preferred controls, are engineering controls such as the use of hoods, canopies, and proper ventilation coordinated with the use of personal protective equipment. For instances where engineering controls are not feasible, respirators and similar personal protective equipment may be used. If you work at a facilty that handles benzene or other toxic chemicals, make sure your employer is following the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). The HCS is a standard developed by the US Department of Labor, Office of Safety and Health Administration and is based on a simple concept--that employees have both a need and a right to know the hazards and identities of the chemicals they are exposed to when working. They also need to know what protective measures are available to prevent adverse effects from occurring. The HCS is designed to provide employees with the information they need when working with toxic or otherwise hazardous substances. The results of a 1995 study finding higher than expected levels of benzene in Anchorage, Alaska homes has led to a grant for further research. The University of Washington and the Municipal Department of Health and Human Services have accepted the grant for a study the indoor air in Anchorage homes with attached garages. The study will involve air samples from 50 homes, in an effort to understand the way that air moves from attached garages into the living areas of houses. Females that have been occupationally exposed to this chemical have been found to suffer a decrease in the size of the ovaries as well as menstrual problems. Some studies, although not yet conclusive, have also suggested that the high level exposure to the chemical could also affect fertility in women. In animal tests, pregnant animals that were exposed to benzene via inhalation sustained fetus damage including low birth weight, bone marrow problems, and problems with bone formation. If you can smell benzene, there's probably too much of it in the air. For most people, the odor threshold for benzene is about 61 ppm (parts per million). However, most standards for airborne exposure to benzene are about 10 ppm.

7 A study found that new cars contain vinyl and plastic materials that emit gases containing benzene. This benzene exposure is characterized by that "new car smell". Commuters driving in polluted cities may think that using the air conditioning instead of opening the windows to pollution is a better health measure. In fact, "it's about two to ten times more polluted inside a vehicle on a congested freeway or a major street," according to Mel Zeldin of the North Carolina Air Quality Management District. Workplace exposure to benzene has steadily increased in correlation to the chemical's increased use and production. During 1967, there were about 800 million gallons of benzene produced in the U.S., and by 1969, the amount of benzene increased to 1,185 million gallons with approximately 16% of the productions derived from coal. Over 3 million people in the workplace experience exposure to the human carcinogen benzene every year despite the workplace standards that have been enacted over the years. Most people are exposed to benzene in some form almost every day of their lives. However, this chemical can have deadly effects on those that are exposed to it for long periods of time or in high levels. In fact, Benzene has been classified as a Class A carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency. Exposure to Benzene is thought to be partly responsible for the rise in cases of leukaemia amongst both children and adults. Dermal exposure to benzene can result in reddening and blistering of the skin, and exposure to vapor and liquid form can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and can also result in respiratory problems. Acute toxicity levels can vary depending on the method of exposure, and this has been prove through animal testing. Tests have shown that ingestion and dermal exposure can result in moderate acute toxicity, whereas inhalation can result in low acute toxicity. Longer term exposure to benzene can result in haematological problems in humans, and can affect the tissue that is responsible for producing blood cells, known as the bone marrow. Some of the problems that can develop include excessive bleeding, immune system deficiencies, and aplastic anemia. Chromosomal problems can arise from chronic inhalation of benzene.

8 People working with benzene, such as those involved in the manufacture of Benzene products, are at particularly high risk of dangerous levels of exposure, as they are more likely to be exposed to the chemical for longer periods and at higher levels than other people. Where Benzene is concerned, "long term exposure" is considered as twelve months or more. Tip: Symptoms of exposure to benzene Due to the dangers and non-specific symptoms of benzene exposure, it is important that you contact your physician and let him or her know if you are concerned. Even if you have not displayed any of these symptoms, it is still worth letting your doctor know of any exposure so that he or she can make a more informed decision should you display any signs of illness. You doctor can also arrange for diagnostic testing, such as blood tests to check for any blood abnormalities. Tip: Symptoms of exposure to benzene One of the problems associated with the symptoms of benzene exposure is that they are non-specific symptoms, which can often resemble flu. You may experience fatigue, weakness, weight loss, joint pain, fever, infection, abdominal swelling and pains, and swollen glands. You may also experience abnormal bleeding and excessive bruising. Tip: Symptoms of exposure to high levels of benzene Exposure to large amounts of benzene can cause serious illness. If you are in a situation where someone has been exposed to large quantities of benzene, remember that this product is flammable, so remove any sources of ignition. Take proper precautions to ensure your own safety before attempting rescue. Wear appropriate protective equipment. Remove the source of contamination or move victim to fresh air. If breathing has stopped, trained personnel should begin artificial respiration or, if the heart has stopped, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately. Obtain medical attention immediately. Tip: Testing for benzene There are tests for exposure to benzene, however, they are only useful for determining short-term exposures. Several tests can show if you have been exposed to benzene. There is a test for measuring benzene in the breath; this test must be done shortly after exposure. Benzene can also be measured in the blood. Again, however, measurements are accurate only for recent exposures since benzene disappears rapidly from the blood.

9 Tip: Testing for benzene One test for benzene exposure depends on substances called metabolites. In the body, benzene is converted to metabolites. Certain metabolites can be measured in the urine. However, this test must be done shortly after exposure and is not a reliable indicator of how much benzene you have been exposed to, since the metabolites may be present in urine from other sources. Tip: Testing for benzene For those who think that they have been exposed to benzene very recently and at high levels, there are tests that to measure this exposure. However, these tests will not be effective on everyone who thinks that they may have been exposed to the chemical. For instance, it can prove ineffective on those exposed to Benzene a long time ago, or on those exposed to the chemical on a lower level. Tip: The Effects of exposure to benzene The symptoms of benzene exposure can differ, and the time that it takes for these symptoms to develop also varies. Some reactions to benzene can be immediate, such as central nervous system toxicity. However, other symptoms have a long latency period and may not show for several decades following exposure. Exposure to benzene has resulted in non-hodgkin lymphoma, aplastic anaemia and various types of leukaemia. Tip: The Effects of long-term exposure to benzene The major effect of benzene from long-term (365 days or longer) exposure is on the blood. Benzene causes harmful effects on the bone marrow and can cause a decrease in red blood cells leading to anemia. It can also cause excessive bleeding and can affect the immune system, increasing the chance for infection. Tip: The Effects of long-term exposure to benzene Some women who breathed high levels of benzene for many months had irregular menstrual periods and a decrease in the size of their ovaries. It is not known whether benzene exposure affects the developing fetus in pregnant women or fertility in men. Animal studies have shown low birth weights, delayed bone formation, and bone marrow damage when pregnant animals breathed benzene. Category: Health Effects of Benzene Subcategory: Benzene Symptoms

10 Tip: Symptoms of exposure to high levels of benzene Breathing very high levels of benzene can result in death, while high levels can cause drowsiness, dizziness, rapid heart rate, headaches, tremors, confusion, and unconsciousness. Eating or drinking foods containing high levels of benzene can cause vomiting, irritation of the stomach, dizziness, sleepiness, convulsions, rapid heart rate, and death. Category: Regulation of Benzene Subcategory: Benzene Information The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registrycan tell you where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances such as benzene. You can also contact your community or state health or environmental quality department if you have any more questions or concerns. For more information, call According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, the possiblity of benzene exposure exceeding 0.1 ppm requires the use of a full pacepiece supplied air respirator operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode. Twenty-six states have their own Occupational Safety and Health Administration or "OSHA" programs. These OSHA-approved State Plan programs set standards which are "at least as effective as" Federal OSHA standards for many safety issues including handling and exposure to dangerous chemicals such as benzene. State plans provide assistance and extend their authority to most private sector and all public sector ( state and local government ) employers and employees in those States, including first and second responders. Visit State Occupational Safety and Health Plans to verify your state's status and search for standards that may apply to you. The dangers and procedures for working with benzene should be available everywhere the chemical is used. Chemical manufacturers and importers must evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import. Using that information, they must then prepare

11 labels for containers, and more detailed technical bulletins called material safety data sheets (MSDS). Every container of hazardous chemicals you receive must be labeled, tagged, or marked with the required information. Your suppliers must also send you a properly completed material safety data sheet (MSDS) at the time of the first shipment of the chemical, and with the next shipment after the MSDS is updated with new and significant information about the hazards. The federal government has set certain exposure thresholds to help protect human health. The EPA has set the maximum permissible level of benzene in drinking water at milligrams per liter (0.005 mg/l). The EPA requires that spills or accidental releases into the environment of 10 pounds or more of benzene be reported to the EPA. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a permissible exposure limit of 1 part of benzene per million parts of air (1 ppm) in the workplace during an 8-hour workday, 40-hour workweek. If you work with benzene, but you do not have a copy of the material safety data sheet (MSDS) for this substance (as mandated by OSHA), you can find the MSDS for this and many other chemicals at the OSHA web site. These sheets not only provide all the relevant phyisical and chemical descritions of a substance, including other trade names, they specify how a chemical should be stored, symptoms associated with exposure, what actions should be taken in the event of exposure, cleanup procedures, and acceptable methods of disposing of a chemical. If you run a small business that involves the handling, use, or disposal of toxic chemicals such as benzene, the federal goverment's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) can provide training materials to help limit the dangers caused by exposure to benzene. OSHA has materials designed especially to meet the training needs of small businesses. Your nearby Government Documents Repository can give you the name of the nearest OSHA office, or simply call the office of your congressional representative for more information. The risk of exposure to benzene means that manufacturers and chemical companies should exercise extreme caution with regards to employees working with this chemical. However, this has not been done in many cases, and as a result of this negligence many people have suffered ill health. Those handling and working with this chemical should be provided with all necessary safety equipment and protection by their

12 employers. However, it is already too late for many, and because benzene exposure related diseases can have a long latency period of several decades in some cases some people may be unaware that they have been affected. Exposure to benzene at levels of 500 ppm is immediately dangerous to life and health. If there is the possibility of exposure to benzene at these levels, NIOSH standards require the use of an approved self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in a positive-pressure mode. Category: Uses of Benzene Subcategory: Benzene Uses Tip: About benzene Benzene is a colorless liquid with a sweet odor. It evaporates into the air very quickly and dissolves slightly in water. It is highly flammable and is formed from both natural processes and human activities. Benzene is widely used in the United States; it ranks in the top 20 chemicals for production volume. Some industries use benzene to make other chemicals which are used to make plastics, resins, and nylon and synthetic fibers. Benzene is also used to make some types of rubbers, lubricants, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides. Natural sources of benzene include volcanoes and forest fires. Benzene is also a natural part of crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke. Tip: The Effects of long-term exposure to benzene Benzene is used in the manufacture of plastics, detergents, pesticides, and other chemicals. Research has shown benzene to be a carcinogen (cancer causing). With exposures from less than five years to more than 30 years, individuals have developed, and died from, leukemia. Long-term exposure may affect bone marrow and blood production. Short-term exposure to high levels of benzene can cause drowsiness, dizziness, unconsciousness, and death.