PRACTICE AREAS
Benzene Exposure
Benzene poses the greatest risk to workers using petroleum solvents containing benzene. Although using benzene in the U.S. as a solvent has beenbanned for many years now, workers using solvents continue to be exposed to benzene because it is still present in some degree in most petroleum solvents. The workers can develop benzene poisoning through inhalation of the vapors evaporating from the solvent and by absorbing it through their skin by handling materials soaked with the solvents.
The consequences of exposure to benzene can be deadly. Benzene has been shown to cause rare forms of leukemia, including acute myelogenousleukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, and chronic myelogenous leukemia. Contacting our experienced and proven benzene attorneys can allow you tocollect compensation for the potentially fatal health conditions that benzene is known to cause.
Workers at Risk For Exposure to Benzene:
- Painters
- Chemical workers
- Gasoline distribution workers
- Refinery workers
- Shoe/leather workers
- Rubber workers
- Pesticides manufacturing workers
- Printers
- Paper and pulp manufacturing workers
- Adhesive production workers
- Newspaper press workers
Workplace Benzene Exposure Limits
OSHA - The legal airborne permissible exposure limit is 1 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift and 5 ppm not to be exceeded during any 15-minutework period.
NIOSH - The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.1 ppm averaged over a 10-hour workshift and 1 ppm not to be exceeded during any 15-minutework period.
ACGIH - The recommended airborne exposure limit is 0.5 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift and 2.5 ppm as a short-term exposure limit. Individual Rights And Exposure to Benzene.
Obtaining copies of sampling results from your employer is a legal right under OSHA 1910.1020. Exposure to hazardous substances, like benzene, should be routinely evaluated. If work-related health problems from exposure to benzene are suspected, immediately see a doctor that is trained to recognizeoccupational diseases such as benzene poisoning. To learn more about your legal rights involving exposure to benzene in the workplace, pleasecontact us.
Reducing Benzene Risk In the Workplace
- Immediately change out of work clothing that may have been contaminated by benzene.
- Work clothing exposed to benzene should be cleaned only by those informed of the risks and hazards of benzene. Workers should not take the contaminated clothing home to expose family members.
- Employers should have eye wash fountains provided in case of emergencies.
- Immediate skin contact should be washed or showered in order to remove the human carcinogen. The employer should provide emergency shower facilities.
- All workers with possible benzene exposure should immediately wash the areas that may have been exposed.
- Any food or drink ingestion, as well as smoking, should be completely avoided in areas benzene is handled, processed, or stored. The dangerous chemical can be swallowed so hands should be thoroughly washed prior to eating, drinking, smoking, or using the bathroom.
If you or a loved one has been exposed to benzene at the workplace or at home, and would like to learn more about your legal rights, please contact Allen Hossley of Hossley & Embry.
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