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

These days it's common knowledge that smoking tobacco causes cancer, and that when used as directed, the product will ultimately kill you. When we think of tobacco related diseases, lung cancer and lung diseases typically come to mind, but new evidence suggests that smokers are also at increased risk of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

Exposure to the hydrocarbon benzene is a risk factor for developing MDS. Cigarettes contain benzene as an additive. Benzene also occurs naturally as a byproduct of combustion, so smokers get a double dose of the carcinogen. 

MDS is a bone marrow failure (BMF) disorder that is associated with benzene exposure. BMF disorders interfere with the body's ability to create new blood cells, severely compromising the immune system. Effective treatments include blood transfusions, and stem cell transplants. The latter can cure the condition, but only for those fortunate enough to find a matching donor.

The authors of the new study say that the results make "biological sense." They say that this is not only because cigarettes are a leading benzene exposure source, but also because smoking causes chromosomal abnormalities also associated myelodysplastic syndromes.

The study was a review of ten previous studies and was carried out by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, Amgen, The Cleveland Clinic, and SUNY downstate. 

Authors of the study concluded that smokers are 45% more likely to develop MDS, than non-smokers. 

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For patients suffering from bone marrow failure disorders such as aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes, bone marrow stem cell transplants are a life saving therapy. The only problem is, according to North West Asian weekly, a person in need of such treatment has about a 1 in 50,000 chance of finding a match. Due to a lack of registered donors, Asians in the U.S., along with other minorities, are among those with lowest probability of a successful match.

Here's the donor breakdown according to National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) data from December 2008:

• 5.3 million White,
• 690,000 Latino,
• 550,000 Black,
• 520,000 Asian,
• 210,000 mixed race,
• 83,000 American Indian,
• 10,000 Pacific Islander 

Asians and Pacific Islanders make up roughly 7 percent of the 7 million bone marrow donors nationwide.

Dr. John Choe at the University of Washington School of Medicine:

“Successful treatment of leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood disorders depends on finding a donor who has very similar tissue types as the patient — that is, it depends on finding a close ‘match,”

Siblings are the most likely match, with other direct relatives also more likely to be compatible. Though less probable, complete strangers with similar ancestry can also be a life saving match, this is why the NMDP is so important.

Choe and his colleagues have some ideas as to why Asians are so underrepresented on the NMDP:

“Our preliminary research has found that there is much fear about the pain and discomfort about donation … there are also cultural taboos against donation related to Confucian ideas about maintaining the [body’s] sanctity as a way of respecting ancestors,” 

New procedures have virtually eliminated the pain of marrow donation.

Anh Nguyen Reiss,  a 43-year-old Vietnamese immigrant, a mother, and an obstetrician/gynecologist in Houston, was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndromes this year. She requires a matching Vietnamese stem cell donor to survive. 

Huu Nguyen, Reiss’ brother and an attorney in New York, said the following:

“Asian donors are very underrepresented, the percentage is even smaller for Vietnamese donors. None of the 16,000 Vietnamese donors in the national registry matched with Anh.”

Anh Nguyen Reiss:

“Education and awareness in the community is a big problem, especially in immigrant communities, if you are an immigrant working-class mother, how do you have the resources and time to set up a bone marrow drive if one of your family members is in need?”

According to North West Asian Weekly, due to language and cultural barriers, information is difficult to access for Asians in the U.S., specifically in the immigrant communities.

Anh Nguyen Reiss:

“We need more Asian volunteers who speak Asian languages, and have to put out flyers in grocery stores and video stores, not just e-mails.”

Advances in medical procedures have greatly simplified and improved the process of bone marrow stem cell donation, making it  a painless procedure with little or no recovery time required. Now is a great time to join the NMDP and perhaps save a life. 

To learn more check out the NMDP's web site, www.marrow.org

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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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After two years of litigation, a Texas benzene lawsuit has come to an abrupt end. 58th District Judge Bob Wortham dismissed the plaintiff's claims for lack of evidence.

The plaintiff, Bobby Hall of Arizona, had filed a lawsuit against Arco, Exxon, Shell and 16 other petrochemical companies.

The suit stated that Hall had been exposed to "dangerous levels of toxic and carcinogenic chemicals, including benzene-containing products." The suit also alleged that Hall's leukemia was caused by his on the job "exposures to these toxic and carcinogenic chemicals [benzene, and dioxin (a benzene derivative)], distributed, marketed, and/or manufactured by defendants." 

Unfortunately, Hall and his attorney had a falling out seven months ago, leaving hall with no legal representation at the hearing. 

According to the South East Texas Record, an on-line periodical that covers Texas legal issues, "Hall was unable to produce any evidence at the hearing linking his cancer to dioxin, a derivate of the chemical benzene."

Judge Wortham told hall:

"The fact that you don't have an attorney puts you at an extreme disadvantage, my hands are tied. The defendants have no idea what your allegations are. You've had seven months to hire a new lawyer."'

Wortham specifically suggested Hall hire a lawyer who had "working knowledge of the science involved," and submit a motion for a new trial. 

Hall's case had all the components for a successful benzene lawsuit except one, a knowledgeable benzene lawyer. Benzene lawyers have "working knowledge of the science involved," as well as the expertise and experience needed to go up against defendants who are often powerful corporations with seemingly unlimited legal resources. Most benzene lawyers don't get paid unless you win.

The fact is that benzene is a known carcinogen proven to cause bone marrow failure (BMF) diseases such as aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and acute myelogenous leukemia to name a few. If you have a BMF disease, and have been exposed to benzene, you may be able to obtain compensation for your injuries, so contact a benzene lawyer today. 

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