Benzene Leukemia Law Blog : Benzene and Leukemia Lawyer & Attorney : Burke & Eisner Law Firm : Benzene Exposure, Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma

Following a fire and explosion that claimed the lives of two employees, and injured three more, OSHA has cited Delek Refining Ltd, in Tyler Texas, with  30 safety violations.

"OHSA's Process Safety Management standard contains specific requirements that are essential to the safety and health of workers in the petroleum refining industry, and it is crucial that employers follow these safety and health requirements. If Delek had followed OHSA's standards, it is possible this tragic accident could have been avoided."--Stephen Boyd, OHSA's Area Director in Dallas.

The explosion was caused by the ignition of flammable vapors after a naphtha discharge line ruptured in the saturated gas unit at the refinery.

OSHA found one willful safety violation due to failure to "maintain and repair" processing equipment. (Willful violations are violations committed with "intentional disregard of" or "indifference to" the standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Act.)

The other serious citations were due to violations of OSHA Process Safety Management rules. The more interesting citations involved asbestos, benzene, electrical, and fire extinguisher standards. (Serious violations are reserved for scenarios where death or serious injury could result from a hazard that should have already been addressed by the employer.)

Penalties are expected to total 217,350. A number with fewer figures than I'd like to see, considering the loss of life involved.

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The widow and children of a deceased Texas man have filed a lawsuit against Chevron alleging that the man died wrongfully as a result of benzene exposure.

"As a result of such exposure, Luther Wesley Miller, developed multiple myeloma from which he died a painful and terrible death on Feb. 7, 2008," the lawsuit  filed June 19 in Jefferson County District Court states.

The suit alleges that Chevron knew that benzene exposure leads to deadly blood conditions and cancers (which of course they did), yet still allowed employees to work around the chemicals.

The suit also claims that Chevron failed to warn workers of the dangers associated with benzene exposure, and failed to take precautions to avoid exposing Miller to the chemical.

Thousands of workers, in the process of simply doing their jobs, have been needlessly sickened, and have died as a result of benzene exposure. The list of debilitating and potentially deadly blood disorders associated with benzene exposure is not short and includes not only multiple myeloma, but also aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, acute myelogenous leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, and others. 

Almost anyone employed in the industrial sector is at increased risk of benzene exposure. Don't assume that your employer is fully disclosing, or taking adequate measures to protect you from the dangers of the chemicals you regularly come into contact with on the job.

Today, in the age of information, workers have an unprecedented opportunity to learn the facts about the chemicals they are expected to use, and how to protect themselves from exposure to those chemicals while performing their jobs.

If you have been wrongfully sickened by benzene exposure, contact a benzene lawyer immediately. Many states have statutes of limitations (time limits) which may exclude you from obtaining compensation.

With the assistance of benzene lawyers, many workers who have been wrongfully exposed to benzene have persevered over even the largest corporations. Most benzene lawyers will take no payment unless your case is successful. 

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I recently received this comment from a Texas woman with first hand experience dealing with the pollution often left behind by oil and gas drilling...

I live in South Texas on a 38,000 acre ranch that ExxonMobil has leased since the 30's. A lot of kids around here have leukemia. I got the old soil conservation aerial photos and found out that ExxonMobil had huge pits where they burned sludge. I dug up a few pits and found that they are full of PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). Those are linked benzene molecules and worse than regular benzene because they NEVER break down.

I made an album of the pits on our ranch. They are 100's of feet wide. You can view them on my picasa photo page. View the pits...

I really hope people will locate the pits near them and move. We are suing ExxonMobil but it is pretty hopeless because they have so much money for lawyers. It's best to just know about the pits and not move near them. ExxonMobil had a block of 2 million acres, almost contiguous, in South Texas. These pits are not just on our ranch.

Sound advice. Thousands of Americans face increased health risks due to unsafe handling and disposal hydraulic fracking chemicals. While the industry is fond of pointing out that the chemicals are injected far below the water table, and therefore pose no threat to humans and the environment, they usually omit the part about recovering a significant portion of the fluid and often storing it in open pits. Sadly the above story not an isolated incident, but an frightening reality faced by many people living near gas drilling. Thanks Elizabeth.

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New York Senator Charles E. Schumer has written a letter to the owner of the Tonawana Coke Corperation strongly urging the company to take swift action to reduce harmful benzene emissions. 

Schumer noted that the plant had reduced emissions of certain toxins, but said that "much more needs to be done to reduce the amount of benzene released into the air."

An EPA and DEC funded study found last year that airborne benzene levels in and around the town of Tonawanda are up to 75 times higher than New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recommended guidelines.

Schumer:

“Studies have proven that exposure to these sky-high benzene levels are harmful and that the emissions from this plant are simply too high. A more concerted effort must be made to prevent these toxic chemicals from making their way into our air. I urge the Tonawanda Coke Corporation to map out a plan to reduce these harmful emmissions and present it to the public -- to ensure the health and safety of residents and workers.”

Schumer went on to underline the urgency of the threat that benzene emissions pose to the health of the people of Tonawanda...

"Due to the fact that benzene is a known carcinogen, every effort must be made to greatly reduce the amount that is being released by Tonawanda Coke. Residents of the Town of Tonawanda and the surrounding area are experiencing numerous health problems resulting from these toxic emissions. Serious diseases such as fibromyalgia and many types of cancer are occurring at irregularly high rates among Tonawanda residents. This in addition to less serious ailments such as constant headaches, and increased asthma and allergy rates, are proof enough that something is happening to the town’s residents. It is no coincidence that those suffering from serious health problems live in close proximity to the Tonawanda Coke plant.

Indeed exposure to benzene causes cancer and bone marrow failure (BMF) diseases like aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia and others.

The Tone of Schumer's letter was grave but respectful of Tonawanda Coke's contributions the economy of Tonawanda and New York State. Tonawanda Coke Corporation, great company if you can see past them breaking environmental laws and poisoning innocent people with massive amounts of airborne benzene.

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What is benzene?

Benzene is a commodity chemical widely used by the industrial sector in the production of an extensive list of everyday items.

While very useful, benzene is also a well understood carcinogen that destroys the body's ability to create blood cells, severely damaging the immune system. Benzene exposure leads to a number debilitating and deadly diseases such as: aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and acute meyeloid leukemia.

Complete avoidance of exposure to benzene is nearly impossible at present due to it's use in many products such as fuel, glues, cigarettes and paints. That being said, one should take the advice of The World Health Organization to heart and avoid benzene "whenever possible."

How could you be exposed?

• Outdoor air can contain benzene from vehicle exhaust, fumes from the gas station, industrial emissions, industrial waste sites, and cigarette smoke. 
• Indoor air often contains higher benzene levels than outdoor air because it can become trapped and build up in poorly ventilated buildings. This airborne benzene comes from glues, paints, furniture wax, and detergents.
• Leaks from underground gas tanks at petroleum stations and seepage from hazardous waste sites can contaminate wells and groundwater.
• The greatest risk is posed to people working in industries that make or use benzene.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) point out that, "The seriousness of poisoning caused by benzene depends on the amount, route, and length of time of exposure, as well as the age and preexisting medical condition of the exposed person."

Benzene exposure is sickening people around the world. Many studies are underway seeking safer alternatives. If you or a loved one have been sickened by benzene, contact a benzene lawyer. A good benzene lawyer can make sure you are monetarily compensated for your illness, and won't expect payment unless your case is successful.

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This article discusses recent studies on the success of azacitidine (Vidaza®) treatment in reducing transfusion dependency, and increasing overall survival in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients.

Data presented at the 14th Congress of the European Society of Hematology demonstrate that treatment with azacitidine (Vidaza®) significantly extends overall survival and helps patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) become or remain red blood cell transfusion independent. Patients who benefited included those with higher-risk MDS or acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) with 20-30% blasts, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO).
“The presentations at EHA this year continue to support the clinical benefit associated with Vidaza in MDS, including significantly extended overall survival...

Read the full article at ecancermedicalscience.com.

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According to The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) there is a "dire need for both Asians and American Indians to register as potential donors to fill a shortage of readily available prospects."


Currently a patient's chance of being matched with a suitable marrow donor vary considerably depending on the individual's nationality. The most likely match for a successful bone marrow stem cell transplant is a full brother of sister of the recipient, though complete strangers with ancestry similar to the recipient's are often able to save lives through marrow donation.

For those who suffer from debilitating and potentially fatal bone marrow failure disorders such as aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes, bone marrow stem cell transplants offer the only hope of complete recovery. 

According to Eric Trosko of the NMDP, joining the marrow registry is easier than ever: 

“You simply complete a registration form and swab the inside of your cheek. That’s it, no blood draw and the entire registration process only takes about 10 minutes. If you match a patient, donations can now be made through a simple blood draw procedure instead of the old surgical procedure through the hip. There is no cost for members of any American Indian tribe to join the marrow registry or donate.”

For more information on becoming a bone marrow stem cell donor visit the National Marrow Donor  Program website at: www.marrow.org/.

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Tseng I-Ching, a 16-year-old high school student from Taiwan, has just taken top honors at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) for her discovery of a bacterium that decomposes polystyrene or Styrofoam.

Though Styrofoam no longer contains the ozone destroying CFC's we used to hear about, it is still a threat to humans and the environment because it virtually never breaks down, and requires dangerous chemicals for it's manufacture. It does deteriorate into small granules, but those float on air and water and tamper with the food chain.

The production of polystyrene requires benzene, a known carcinogen that causes bone marrow failure diseases such as aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and acute myeloid leukemia. 

While biodegradable alternatives to classic polystyrene are becoming more available, the U.S. tosses out some 25 billion non-biodegradable Styrofoam cups annually.

If we must use carcinogenic chemicals in the production of eating and drinking containers, (which for the record seems like a bad idea to me), it would be nice if that toxic material could break down instead of building up for future generations to deal with. Hopefully Tseng I-Ching's discovery can help us facilitate this.

Benzene is a highly useful chemical that industry has depended on throughout the industrial revolution. Indeed it seemed pretty cool at first, but now significant evidence suggests that there is no safe exposure level for this carcinogenic aromatic hydrocarbon. The frequent use of benzene in industrial applications is sickening people world wide. Many of those sickened are innocent bystanders who live in proximity to industrial areas. Industrial workers also face the threat of benzene related disease.

Many people who have been wrongfully exposed to benzene have been able to receive monetary compensation for their illness through working with a reputable benzene lawyer. Benzene lawyers specialize in going up against even the most powerful corporations, and holding them accountable for their actions.

If you or a loved one have been sickened by benzene, discuss your situation benzene lawyer, they don't get paid unless your case is successful.

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If you have kids or grand kids you've probably noticed the springy recycled tire rubber surfaces found under many newer playgrounds. The material is also used on sports fields in modern artificial turf. The popular surfaces, made from shredded tires, reduce injury, require little maintenance, and are weatherproof.  So what's the problem? Tires contain known carcinogenic aromatic hydrocarbons like benzene, as well as lead, and other heavy metals..



The EPA is conducting air and surface samples at  four fields and playgrounds that feature recycled tires. According to AP the study was implemented in light of other EPA research suggesting health risks from exposure to the tire particles.

"From everything I've been able to see, I'm not sure there's an imminent hazard, but it's something we're investigating, it's critical to take a look at all the data together."

- Michael Firestone, EPA's head of children's health protection. 

Much of the concern is due to tiny particles of "turf dust" that could be kicked up and inhaled during play.

Dr. Philip Landrigan, professor and chairman of community and preventive medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York is calling for a moratorium on the surface until more studies are done.

 "All those toxins are very available to kids, if kids are playing and running, all this chemical soup is going to get on their skins and their fingers."- Dr. Landrigan

This issue is a perfect example of the classic disconnect regarding dangerous toxins in our society. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 25% of illness worldwide is due to human exposure to toxins. With that in mind it seems ridiculous that we would purposefully place large quantities of a material made from known carcinogens on our children's playgrounds and athletic fields.

Of particular concern to parents should be the lead and benzene present in "crumb rubber." Lead is well known to cause neurological damage in children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advocates eliminating all non-essential uses of lead.

Benzene is linked with bone marrow failure diseases like aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and acute myeloid leukemia.

The EPA points out that chemicals in recycled tires vary by location and manufacturer.

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