World Health Organization wants Benzene Out

Boston, MAAs part of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the World Health Organization called for the removal of dangerous carcinogens, including benzene, from the workplace. The agency reported that at least 200,000 people die every year from work-related cancers, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and bladder cancers- the most common types of occupational cancer.

Many workers are coming forward and filing lawsuits against their employers, claiming that they became ill after being exposed to benzene. Added to that are the number of lawsuits filed by people whose family members died from mesothelioma after workplace exposure to benzene.

Following are recent lawsuits filed in Jefferson County regarding benzene:

• George Oliver Tanner filed lawsuits against 39 chemical companies claiming that his father died of acute myelogenous leukemia after exposure to benzene that occurred while he cleaned tanks and managed spills for the defendants;



• Shirley Jeanis filed lawsuits against 28 companies claiming that her husband's exposure to benzene while working as a pipefitter resulted in his death from acute myelogenous leukemia;



• Gary and Congram filed lawsuits against Chevron USA and other petrochemical companies, claiming that Gary developed acute myelogenous leukemia after repeated exposure to benzene during the 43 years he worked as an engineering contractor.

Many benzene lawsuits claim companies that exposed employees to benzene either knew or should have known about the toxic nature of the chemical and failed to properly protect their employees. Workers who are consistently exposed to high levels of benzene are at the highest risk of serious illness. Long-term exposure to benzene can result in serious illness including acute myelogenous leukemia, acute lymphatic leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, Hodgkin's Disease, hairy cell leukemia, and aplastic anemia.

Benzene is used in the manufacturing of many chemical products, including detergents, dyes, paints, pesticides, and motor fuels. Acute Myelogenous Leukemia is a cancer that occurs in bone marrow, in blood-forming tissues. Treatment includes chemotherapy, immunotheraphy, and stem cell transplantation.