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

For more than 25 years, Woburn, Massachusetts has been the site of an intensive cleanup effort to remove pollutants such as benzene (a volatile organic compound known to cause leukemia), arsenic and ammonia. The area has long been deemed one of the most toxic in the nation.

100+ Years of Pollution

The pollution began over a century ago during the Civil War when the area became home to numerous manufacturing facilities – facilities that manufactured chemicals and glue. As the cleanup nears completion, the EPA is looking at redeveloping the 245-acre area.

At Least One Death

The agency has already approved a retail complex and Anderson Regional Transportation Center, which is named after Jimmy Anderson, a young boy who died of cancer in 1981. His mother filed a civil lawsuit over the toxic pollution.

Others who have been injured by the contamination in Woburn may also be able to file a civil lawsuit against responsible party(s).

 

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Do you live near a freeway? A pilot study conducted by the Utah Department of Health in 2006 concluded that children living near freeways have a higher risk of developing leukemia as a result of the benzene emitted into the air from vehicle exhausts.

The study is not conclusive but does fit in with other evidence suggesting that the risk of cancer is higher for children who live near heavily trafficked areas. Rather than waiting around for more conclusive studies, clean air advocates like Dr. Brian Moench are saying action is needed.

"The medical data would strongly suggest that if we can reduce these kinds of emissions to our airshed, that we will have less incidence of cancer, especially among young children," Moench said.

If you live in a heavily trafficked urban area, you may wish to write to your local government official regarding possible regulatory actions.

 

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An increasing number of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are developing illnesses that seem to be linked to burn pits used for disposing of hazardous materials. Approximately one-fifth of the veterans who have reported their ailments have leukemia or lymphoma.

Both leukemia and lymphoma are rare diseases sometimes caused by benzene exposure. Benzene is one of a number of toxins that tests have shown to be released from the burn pits.

Noxious Fumes Emitted

According to one of several class-action lawsuits filed on behalf of ailing service members, defense contractor Kellogg, Brown & Root LLC used the pits to burn hazardous and biohazardous materials such as:

• Tires
• Trucks
• Munitions boxes
• Hydraulic fluids
• Lithium batteries
• Plastics and petroleum products

The noxious fumes created by these burn pits would drift over the nearby bases, exposing service members stationed there.

Range of Health Issues

In addition to lymphoma and leukemia, veterans have reported health issues such as bronchitis, asthma, heart problems, sleep apnea, gastrointestinal illness and “weeping lesions.” Thirty of 150 veterans who have complained of health problems have joined a class-action seeking damages for:

• Emotional distress
• Physical injuries
• Medical treatment
• Medical monitoring
• Fear of future disease

If you have questions or concerns about benzene exposure, you may wish to contact an attorney about your rights. You may be entitled to compensation.

 

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Four out of 12 monitoring wells at the site of a former gas plant in Oneonta’s Neahwa Park (New York) are still showing excessive levels of benzene and several other dangerous chemicals even after millions of dollars have been spent over the last decade on clean-up efforts.

Any exposure to benzene is too much exposure, as benzene has been linked to a variety of serious and rare illnesses such as:

• Aplastic anemia
• Myelodysplastic syndrome
• Acute myelogenous leukemia
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Groundwater in the area is not used for drinking, but there is a risk to people wading in the nearby creek. Individuals in the area who have developed a benzene-related illness may wish to seek the advice of a benzene exposure attorney.




 

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South Carolina may face sanctions from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency if it doesn’t come up with the money necessary to clean up some 3,000 sites contaminated with benzene and other dangerous chemicals.  

The chemicals are leaking from underground fuel tanks and polluting nearby groundwater. Contamination caused by the leaks is not only affecting property values, but also raising health concerns among residents.

Benzene and cancers such as leukemia have long been linked, and testing has revealed that the toxic chemical has tainted wells in some of the state’s rural neighborhoods.

Officials at the Department of Health and Environmental Control have known about the contamination caused by leaks for years, but the agency has only made two requests in more than a decade for clean up money.



 

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Approximately 200 residents of Angelina County, Texas have agreed to settle a benzene lawsuit filed against Chevron in 2002. The lawsuit involved claims of property damage and health complications such as leukemia.

Old, Leaky & Unused Pipeline

At issue in the lawsuit was a leaky crude oil pipeline owned by Chevron that ran through Lufkin (in Angelina County). According to the lawsuit, Chevron stopped using the 70 year old pipeline in the 1980s and never cleaned it up.

Residents claimed they were unaware the pipeline existed until 2002, when it was unearthed during a local construction project. It was then that the residents realized the rusty oil pipeline was the likely source of contamination in the area.

Residents Suffer Benzene Exposure

In 2003, testing conducted by the city of Lufkin measured benzene levels in the groundwater to be 12,660 parts per billion (ppb) – by far exceeding the protective 5 ppb limit. Chevron testing found the level of benzene to be six times the protective limit.

Residents in the lawsuit alleged that Chevron knew that the pipeline was leaking benzene and other harmful chemicals into the air, soil and groundwater. Benzene exposure has been linked to serious illnesses such as acute myelogenous leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

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According to reports, a new law was recently passed in the state of Oregon regarding ‘topping off” while at the gas station. The new law was approved this past December and will go into effect on July 1, 2009. The state passed the new law in an attempt to reduce the amount of gasoline vapors being emitted into the air at various gas stations throughout the area.  

However, this new ‘topping off’ ban has drawn criticism from gas-station owners who claim that their customers will be prevented from filling up their cars completely. And, let’s face it, the gas-station owners might be losing a buck here and there. Though public-health advocated insist that this new rule is necessary in an attempt to lower the amount of benzene that is released into the air to harm the environment and community.  

Why the Controversy?

Gas-station owners are insisting that the government’s ‘topping off’ law is vague, and could cost them sales. But when a vehicle is ‘topped off’ with gasoline, gasoline is caused to spill and as a result benzene is sent into the air.  

Benzene is a known carcinogen that has been linked to various forms of cancer including leukemia. When benzene is ingested, inhaled or handled, it has been known to not only cause life-altering illnesses, but can even lead to death. And this is why environmentalist and the government are taking action to cut the amount of benzene released into the air wherever they can, loss of sales or not.  
Oregon’s new standards are reportedly aimed at reducing emissions of benzene by about 28 tons each year and other volatile organic compounds by an estimated 1, 610 per year.  
 


 

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According to recent reports, leukemia is the most common type of cancer to inflict children. This type of cancer affects the blood-forming tissues that enable the bone marrow and lymphatic systems to function properly. Leukemia typically begins in the white blood cells, before it spreads into the red blood cells and platelets of the body.

The white blood cells are potent infection fighters that typically grow and divide in a somewhat orderly way, depending upon how the body needs to use them. However, for patients who are suffering from leukemia, the bone marrow produces a large number of abnormal white blood cells that typically don't function properly.

Leukemia Affects Adults Too

Although research shows that leukemia is most common in children, it isn’t simply a children's disease. Doctors have found that the disease has four main types and many subtypes — and only some of these are common in children. The disease is classified upon how fast the leukemia progresses, according to researchers.

For those who have acute leukemia, the abnormal blood cells have immature blood cells, also called, blasts. In this case, they aren’t able to carry out their normal work, and instead they multiply rapidly, so the disease worsens quickly. In cases of acute leukemia these blasts happen so often and at such a rapid pace that patients are required to get aggressive and timely treatment.

There are several factors that play a part in why adults develop leukemia, the most common one being exposure to benzene. Benzene is a toxic chemical that is typically used as an additive in gasoline and can be found in sodas and cigarettes. Those who inhale, ingest or handle the chemical are at high risk of developing leukemia and other forms of life altering cancers.

 

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Reports claim that the air in Alabama’s four largest cities contains such high amounts of chemicals like benzene that it could potentially danger thousands of people. The reports stem from a recent study conducted by environmentalists within the state.

The report was put together by the Conservation Alabama Foundation and researchers discovered that the state’s major cities had excessive levels of toxic chemicals. The cities that are supposedly at high risk are Birmingham, Mobile, Montgomery and Huntsville. And according to Adam Snyder, the executive director of the organization, Phenix City is also in harm’s way.

Study Reveals Citizens Are at Risk

Snyder claims that of the 15 chemicals found to be inflicting the cities, benzene was at the top of the list for being the most life threatening and apparent. Data showed that the amount of benzene in the air is “far beyond” limits that have been established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Another thirteen of the chemicals found have also reportedly been linked to cancer.

“Our goal with this report is to elevate the issue so something can be done with it,” says Snyder. “We want the state to do something to clean up the air.”

Many researchers are also concerned since the report doesn’t conclude that these five cities are the only ones in the state with air pollution problems. These cities are just the ones where monitoring has been conducted.

“There could be more out there. We just don’t have the data,” Snyder states.

Exposure to benzene has been linked with various forms of cancer, including leukemia, for which a cure has not yet been found.
 

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According to recent reports, health officials in Reading, Pennsylvania have found asbestos and benzene on a former industrial site. The toxic chemicals have become quite the controversy in the town since the Reading School District planned to build three schools on the property.

According to district officials, the plan, until the recent chemicals were exposed, was to build a 300-student elementary school on the former Luden’s Candy property. The long-term goal for the property was to build seven new schools over the next three years. The site was sold to the district by The Hershey Co. for $3.85 million in June.

Benzene Found at Site

William F. Cinfici, a board member in Reading claims that just last week the site tested positive for both benzene and asbestos. Both of these substances are known carcinogens and can be fatal to those who are exposed over time. Since the findings, the school district has terminated the sales and has been looking for other pieces of property to build the smaller, safer schools they originally set out to develop.

“The board is doing its due diligence,” says Dr. Thomas R. Chapman Jr., superintendent.
Although Chapman and the other school officials were disappointed with the tests results, they understand that building the schools would be far too risky for employees, children and the community as a whole.

Dangers of Benzene Exposure

Benzene is a commonly used chemical for the production of dyes, as an additive in gasoline and in the manufacturing of synthetic rubbers, amongst other things. When benzene is inhaled, ingested or handled it can be extremely toxic and even fatal. Various forms of cancer such as leukemia, lung cancer and MDS have been linked to benzene exposure and as a result health officials across the country are consistently testing and researching industrial sites like the one in Reading to prevent benzene emissions.
 

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As the season changes more and more Americans are turning to their fireplaces, bonfires and woodstoves to keep warm at night. And there’s no better place to spend the holidays than with your loved ones beside a fire; however, new reports have surfaced regarding the toxic chemicals that can be emitted through fires and the effect these chemicals could have on your health and the environment.

Studies have specifically focused on the air quality in the Portland metro region, which does not have a history of being pristine or healthy. According to reports from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, fourteen percent of the days in September were categorized as being moderately polluted. Reports prove that from October first and eighth, two days had moderate levels of pollution in Portland, which is 25 percent. Among the chemicals that have been found in the air is benzene, a known carcinogen linked to leukemia.

The Hazards of Wood Smoke

In order for health officials to maintain control over what is being emitted into our air, the DEQ collects information from air monitors before raw data is converted into the Air Quality Index. And experts claim, the air quality is typically the worst in the winter months.
“Temperature inversions trap cold at the surface and cases problems because so many people heat with wood,” explains Susan Drake from the Oregon DEQ Air Quality Office.

Wood smoke is of particular concern since it’s a major cause of particle pollution. Wood doesn’t completely burn in any stove or fireplace and as a result a vaporous blend of gases, including benzene, are released into the air, and potentially inhaled by humans. Particles that are less than 10 micrometers in diameter can embed deep into the lungs and often even get trapped in the bloodstream. In turn, this can cause severe coughs and in some cases develop into a type of cancer if the exposure lasts for a long period of time.

The DEQ is reportedly going to approach the Oregon Legislature in the upcoming months with bills that will include funds to help people change out older uncertified woodstoves with more clean-burning, certified woodstoves. The bills are also going to be created to better define woodstove to the public and prevent the indoor burning of trash.

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