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

The Marcellus Shale formation in Pennsylvania is one of America’s greatest natural gas resources. As one company scrambles to exploit this resource in Mount Pleasant Township, some residents are growing concerned about the potential for adverse health effects.

Range Resources Corp has drilled dozens of wells in the township to access water for a process known as “hydrofracking.” The process forces a chemical solution that includes benzene, methanol and over 200 others deep into the shale, and this facilitates the release of natural gas.

One research organization tested 54 chemicals in the fluid and found that:

• Nearly one-third are carcinogenic (that is, they are known to cause cancer)
• Nearly three-quarters cause respiratory problems
• Over half pose a risk to the blood and circulatory system

Indeed, benzene is known to cause a number of rare blood disorders and cancer, including aplastic anemia and acute myelogenous leukemia. And although a spokesman for Range Resources said the chemical solution is diluted and used at levels too deep for human exposure, citizens are still rightfully concerned.

The municipal supervisor for the township said he fears that the fluid will escape either above or below ground, and possibly contaminate groundwater. Another resident said she has stopped drinking from her wells and is having it tested because she’s concerned about its safety.

“I do feel the compulsion to make sure this [drilling] does not do horrible things to us,” she said.

Residents in this or other area of Pennsylvania where drilling is being undertaken may want to talk to their local representatives to learn more about measures being taken to prevent toxic contamination.


 
 
 

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 A new benzene lawsuit has been filed in Texas against 67 defendant corporations.  The suit, filed on behalf of the family of a deceased man, alleges that the man's death from acute myelogenous leukemia was caused by wrongful exposure to benzene. 

Vickie and Michael Johnson lost their husband and father Cloyce Michael Johnson to acute myelogenous leukemia, (ACL), in march of 2007.   This rare blood cancer is caused by benzene exposure.

Like many who suffer from ACL Johnson worked for large industrial corporations.  He worked from 1968 to 2007 as a pipe fitter, pipe fitter welder, boilermaker and mechanical supervisor.

The suit alleges that the defendants released benzene into the air, although they were fully aware of the dangers.

Defendants include: 

• Exxon Mobile
• Dow Chemical 
• Goodyear
• Monsanto
• BP Amaco
• Union Carbide
• Shell
• U.S. Steel 

Too many workers have paid the the price for what appears a systemic lack of concern regarding toxic emissions by US industry.  Hopefully this and other suits like it will tip the scales in favor of corporate responsibility for their workers health where on the job chemical exposure is a risk, and safer handling and storage and disposal procedures for benzene and all dangerous chemicals. 

 

 

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Shell Oil Products is planning to check for benzene contamination in the soil and groundwater near Roxana, Illinois this spring. The check seems to come a little late, considering it stems from a benzene leak that occurred more than two decades ago.

In 1986, an underground pipeline owned and operated by Shell Oil leaked 8,400 gallons of benzene into the area surrounding Wood River Refinery. There is little documentation regarding cleanup efforts, and what cleanup was done seems to have been limited to surface liquid recovery.

However, more recent groundwater sampling from monitoring wells in the vicinity of the plant has shown increased levels of benzene. Officials say there is little possibility that the benzene has contaminated water supply wells for area residents, but this seems unlikely given the extent of the contamination. Plus, exposure to benzene may also occur as a result of vapor migration.

Benzene exposure poses a number of serious health risks, and residents who have developed health problems such as anemia or cancer should consider discussing their legal options with an attorney.


 

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Work exposure to organic solvents like benzene and carbon tetrachloride increase the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in women, a new study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology suggests.

NHL is a term used to describe several malignancies of the immune system and diagnoses of NHL have continued to increase over the past several decades. The National Cancer Institute reports that more than 66,000 Americans were diagnosed with NHL in 2008 and over 19,000 died from the disease.

The question is whether on-the-job exposure is behind the increase in cases of NHL, so researchers examined the relationship between the two and found that exposure to:
 

• Organic solvents containing chlorine increased the risk of NHL by 40%
• Organic solvents containing carbon tetrachloride more than doubled the risk of NHL
• Formaldehyde increased the risk of NHL by 30%

The study findings also suggested that exposure to benzene, a known carcinogen, also raised the risk of non-Hodgkins lymphoma in women.




 

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According to a recent study conducted at the University of Kentucky, a natural compound that can be extracted from grape seed could potentially kill leukemia cells. When these cancerous cells are exposed to the extract, researchers found that about 76 percent of them would be dead within 24 hours. So what is behind this new revelation?

Researchers think that the extract basically forces these harmful cells to “commit suicide” or what’s referred to as apoptosis. Apoptosis is a kind of programmed death that occurs with the cells when they are growing or developing and something goes wrong with the process. When an individual is inflicted with leukemia this means that the disease and other cancers have somehow blocked the cell signaling pathway which enables bad cells to die off. Apoptosis is essentially how the body keeps cancers and other illnesses from affecting the body.

How Can Grape Seeds Help?

The study reveals that grape seed extract is able to activate a protein known as JNK that helps to regulate the apoptotic highway and allows any damaged cells within the body to commit suicide. Grape seed extract has been studied by numerous researchers after it was discovered that this natural substance could benefit activity in breast, skin, lung, and prostate cancer patients. However, before this study, no one had tested the extract on hematological cancers.

“What everyone seeks is an agent that has an effect on cancer cells but leaves normal cells alone, and this shows that grape seed extract fits into this category,” explains the study’s author, Xianglin Shi, Ph.D. Shi emphasizes that this research is still in its earliest stages. Although, it is promising since hematological cancers such as leukemia, are the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.

 

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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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Reports are talking about the International Fuel Quality Center's (IFQC) recent ranking if the top 100 countries in regards to benzene content standards in their gasoline. According to these reports, Colombia ranked number one with the lowest benzene limits and earliest implementation of any benzene related-laws. Canada was ranked at second place while Luxembourg came in third.
 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified the chemical known as benzene as being a Group A, known human carcinogen. This toxic solvent has been found to cause various illness to the bone marrow and bloodstream, and is most notable responsible for causing leukemia among those exposed. It can be found in naturally crude oil and is also used as an additive in certain dyes, for the production of synthetic rubbers and in cigarettes. Officials for the EPA say that controlling the amount of benzene in gasoline is the most effective way to limit its emissions from vehicles.

"The current global trend is to reduce benzene content in gasoline, as it's also seen as the most effective way to reduce human exposure to the chemical," explains Lisa Kiuru, executive director, IFQC.

How Do Most Countries Rank?

The rankings show that a majority of the countries throughout the world don't have any individual specifications for gasoline and low level gasoline-ethanol blends, like Colombia.
 
European countries reportedly topped the ranking, along with many Asian countries, including Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan, which was tied at 18th with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

The U.S. is ranked at 67th place, due to the fact that these rankings are based upon national maximum allowance standards and U.S. standards were last updated in 1997. Researchers did note though, that the state of California could have ranked first if it was its own country because its gasoline benzene limit is 0.7 vol%.

The complete ranking the top 100 countries by gasoline benzene content standards can be found on the IFQC's web site.

 

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Each year more people are diagnosed with leukemia and other forms of cancer; however, cancer treatments have also come a long way as more research and discoveries are made. Pills and various drugs have replaced bone marrow transplants for some patients and there are now genetic tests that can improve cancer care.

The staff at Park Ridge Hospital in North Carolina was recently recognized for consistently staying on top of advancements and technology as it continues to move forward. The Cancer Services and Infusion Center was one of 66 facilities in the nation to receive the 2007 Commission on Cancer Outstanding Achievement Award by the American College of Surgeons.

American College of Surgeons Awards Center

The American College of Surgeons helps to determine whether the quality of care offered by various health facilities meets standards and if the patients are getting the latest in care. Even though it was Park Ridge’s first time going through this judging process, the hospital was commended with the award.

The center treats patients with all types of cancer, particularly leukemia, which can be caused by exposure to the known carcinogen, benzene. Benzene is a toxic chemical that can cause life threatening illnesses like leukemia when it’s ingested, inhaled or handled. Those who develop leukemia as the result of benzene exposure often have to go through chemotherapy at Park Ridge as their form of treatment. The infusion center at the facility, where patients receive their chemotherapy, is the only hospital based outpatient infusion cancer program in the area.

There’s also a hospital blood bank where patients can receive a transfusion followed by chemotherapy given in a comfortable setting. The center has 19 nurses employed with chemotherapy and biotherapy certification, as well as six nurses who have oncology certification for patients.


 

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Research has proven that carcinogens like benzene can be found everywhere, from the cigarettes we smoke to the air we breathe and water we drink. Although most people are aware that their are cancer-causing substances in various items and environments, others aren't educated or able to easily recognize carcinogens in order to avoid them.

 

New findings suggest that there is one place that even health professionals aren't necessarily looking for carcinogens. Certain prescription drugs could potentially contain cancer-causing agents claims new research and the news couldn't bring more of a shock to both patients and doctors. The research was revealed after it was found that certain medications were causing cancer in animals.

 

Medications to be Cautious Of

 

Among the medications that are causing concern are hormone replacement therapies (HRT). Research has found that estrogen can provoke the production of uterine as well as breast cancer in patients. However, millions of women are prescribed HRT to ease symptoms associated with menopause.

 

Rheumatoid arthritis injections Cimzia, Enbrel, Humira and Remicade are also being heavily analyzed after they were linked to the development of lymphoma in patients. All of these medications are very expensive and are used to treated arthritis as well as Crohn's disease. However, researchers are warning doctors to ease their prescribing of the medications since lymphoma can lead to leukemia and other fatal illnesses.

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The 'Changing Face of Cancer Survey'  is an online survey conducted in August  with 2 representative samples of the UK population, 872 and 1000 participants.  It was sponsored by Roche Products, LTD in collaboration with Leukaemia CARE.   Roche makes pharmaceuticals and Leukaemia CARE is a national charity that supports people affected by blood cancers.

Survey respondents believed that chances of living longer with cancer have improved over the last ten years but at the same time seem to be more worried about 10 different types of cancer than they were ten years ago.   It also came out that non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma was the cancer that worried people the least.  This is ironic since it's the sixth most common cancer in the UK and has a faster growing rate than stomach, cervical or bowel cancers.  Sixty-three percent of those surveyed did not know that NHL is a cancer and more than half could not even guess what NHL is.

Tony Gavin, CEO of Leukaemia CARE, commented: "It does trouble us that the severity and prevalence of NHL is not understood by the public - that many don't even recognise it as a form of cancer - because it is a disease with a high, and increasing, incidence. More than 10,000 new cases of NHL are diagnosed every year."

"We're not suggesting people should worry more about NHL, or any cancer for that matter, but as people's general awareness of cancer improves, we would hope that this translates to them being more alert about their own health and having any physical changes checked out." "Our work is to ensure people do know about NHL, can recognise its symptoms and get the best possible care in a timely fashion," he said.
 

 

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A recent study conducted by researchers in Finland found a link between patients who undergo liver transplants and lymphoma. Research has shown that after enduring a liver transplant, the human body is almost three times more likely to be vulnerable and develop fatal forms of cancer.

 

The study, which has been published in a recent issue of Liver Transplantation, revealed that one out of six patients who receives a liver transplant is likely to be diagnosed with some type of cancer within the 20 year period after they receive their donor organ.

 

Study Details

 

According to the study, Helena Isoniemi and her colleagues reportedly tracked patients from Helsinki University Central Hospital who received liver transplants from 1982 to 2005. 540 liver recipients were analyzed in the study and of these patients, there were 39 cases of cancer. Among the types of cancers that are found to be most common in liver transplant patients are lymphoma and skin cancer.

 

"The most common cancer types in our cohort were lymphoma and skin cancer," explains the study’s lead author. "Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which included four cases of post-transplant lymphoproliverative disorder, occurred more frequently in males, in patients transplanted at a younger age and soon after transplantation."

 

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates in the lymphocytes and affects the white blood cells that are present in the immune system. The cancer typically develops in the lymph nodes and can be detected when they enlarge. Lymphoma is closely related to lymphoid leukemia and although a great deal of research has been done regarding the illness, a cure for lymphoma has not yet been found.

 

"This study points out the importance of cancer surveillance after liver transplantation," says Isoniemi.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)  patients who are also  using the drug methotrexate may also be facing an increased risk of lymphoma, leukemia, myeloma and lung cancer.   Researchers in Australia, where over 2 percent of the adults have RA, studied cancer incidence in RA patients who also used methotrexate (MTX) .  An article in the June issue of Arthritis Care & Research reports that their findings suggest an increased risk of malignancies in patients treated with MTX.

The study focused on 459 RA patients, 309 women and 150 men, regularly seen by 1 of 6 rheumatologists based in Melbourne. All had started treatment with MTX prior to June 1986.  The majority had no previous history of immunosuppressant therapy. 61 percent were rheumatoid factor positive.

Those RA patients also on MTX were found to have an estimated  50 percent excess risk of developing cancer in any form.  Risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was greater than 5 times the risk in the general population.  They also have 3 times the risk of melanoma and lung cancer. 

The study's major limitation is that there was no control group of RA patients who were not using methotrexate.  However, Dr. Rachelle Buchbinder, the study's lead author, feels that the study will have important implications in regard to the risk of  melanoma in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

"Further investigation is needed to determine whether this risk is unique to Australia and what role MTX, immunosuppression per se, and/or environmental factors such as exposure to UV radiation play in its development," Dr. Buchbinder stresses. "Our findings, taken together with other studies investigating the risk of skin cancer in patients with RA, may support a role for regular skin cancer screening for all patients with RA, particularly those receiving immunosuppressive therapy."

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In Cave City, Scotland Pam Hunt, now 60 years old, has never let her diagnosis of Aplastic Anemia get her down or limit her activity. She was diagnosed originally with leukemia but after a bone marrow test was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia. At that time she was 15 years old. Her treatment was to get transfusions every two weeks.

She was told to limit her activities, not to play sports, not to become pregnant because of the risks of injury and internal bleeding. She ignored the warnings and is a living example of how one's attitude can play a part in how to deal with a diagnosis like hers. After her daughter was born she played softball, went fishing and boat riding. Even today she can put in a 12-hour day but is ready for bed when she gets home.

“The specialists and all the doctors told me that, with aplastic anemia, the top age of an adult would probably just be 35 to 40 years old,” Hunt said. “I never paid any attention to all that and that’s been the success to my survival. I don’t think about years or minutes or days or hours. I just wake up and do my thing and thank God that I’m here to do it.”

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