Benzene exposure can occur from outdoor or indoor air, ground and well water, in factories using benzene in production, from tobacco smoke and other means. The chemical is ranked in the top twenty chemicals used in production, for making plastics, resins, dyes, rubber, and nylon and synthetic fiber. It can also be present in the odor or physical content of glues, paints, waxes, exhaust, and automobile and aviation gas.

Concerns about Benzene exposure causing side effects and personal injury include developing cancer including leukemia, immune system abnormalities, birth defects, deterioration of bone marrow, anemia and other conditions.

The chemical Benzene can be an odorless, colorless gas. It can also have a “sweet” smell, be a light yellow liquid at room temperature, or a vapor heavier than air that sits like a film on water or just above the ground like a fog. The chemical can be handled safely without injury if the proper care is taken to prevent workers and citizens living nearby manufacturing plants that use Benzene, but there can be significant harm.

How Benzene exposure can poison

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Benzene works by causing cells not to work correctly. For example, it can cause bone marrow not to produce enough red blood cells, which can lead to anemia. Also, it can damage the immune system by changing blood levels of antibodies and causing the loss of white blood cells.
• The seriousness of poisoning caused by benzene depends on the amount, route, and length of time of exposure, as well as the age and pre-existing medical condition of the exposed person.

Immediate signs and symptoms of Benzene exposure

• People who breathe in high levels of Benzene may develop the following signs and symptoms within minutes to several hours:
  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat
  • Headaches
  • Tremors
  • Confusion
  • Unconsciousness
  • Death (at very high levels of exposure)
• Eating foods or drinking beverages containing high levels of Benzene can cause the following symptoms within minutes to several hours:
  • Vomiting
  • Irritation of the stomach
  • Dizziness
  • Sleepiness
  • Convulsions
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat
  • Death (at very high levels)
• If a person vomits because of swallowing foods or beverages containing benzene, the vomit could be sucked into the lungs and cause breathing problems and coughing.
• Direct exposure of the eyes, skin, or lungs to benzene can cause tissue injury and irritation.
• Showing these signs and symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has been exposed to benzene.

If you believe you have been exposed to Benzene and have any of the side effects or been diagnosed with the conditions described above, contact the environmental injury attorneys at the Harman Law Firm for a no cost, no obligation initial consultation. Contact us online or call (404) 554-0777 today to schedule an appointment.

There may be a time limit to file a claim or join a class action.

The Harman Law Firm represents clients across the country who have been exposed to dangerous chemicals, injured by dangerous and defective drugs and medical devices, or suffered catastrophic injury.