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| Benzene Lawyers – Lake Charles, Louisiana |
Benzene is a highly flammable, clear, colorless, sweet-smelling liquid used in the production of plastics, paints, rubber, resins, detergents, lubricants, drugs, pesticides, and synthetic fabrics. Benzene is predominantly found in petroleum refineries and is a naturally occurring compound of gasoline and crude oil. Benzene Health Effects Long-term exposure to benzene has been associated with several diseases, including anemia, leukemia, and conditions characterized by the depression of the immune system such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Acute Myelogenous or Myeloid Leukemia (AML) - also known as acute myelogenous leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia, and acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia is defined as a malignancy of blood-forming tissues that results in an excess of immature white blood cells. The malignant cells begin to replace bone marrow and normal blood cells cease to function. Symptoms of this disease include but are not limited to: prolonged bleeding, skin rash, fatigue, bone pain, and weight loss. Secondary Aplastic Anemia - also known as acquired aplastic anemia, secondary anemia is defined as a failure of the bone marrow to form blood cells and is characterized by a reduction in all types of blood cells. Symptoms of this disease include but are not limited to: fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and rapid heart rate. Myelodysplasia - a condition characterized by the abnormal formation of bone marrow cells. Myelodysplastic Syndromes - a group of conditions characterized by changes in the bone marrow that suggest a pre-leukaemic state. Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma - also known as lymphocytic lymphoma, histiocytic lymphoma, and lymphoblastic lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is defined as a malignancy in the lymphatic tissue (lymph nodes, spleen, etc.). Symptoms of this disease include but are not limited to: enlarged lymph nodes, fever, weight loss, and excessive sweating. Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) - also known as chronic granulocytic leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia is defined as a rapid growth of the blood forming cells in bone marrow, body tissues, and blood that causes bone marrow failure. Symptoms of this disease include but are not limited to: fever, bone pain, enlarged spleen, and fatigue. Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) - also known as acute childhood leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia is defined as a malignant cancer characterized by an accumulation of immature white blood cells. The malignant cells begin to replace bone marrow and normal blood cells cease to function. Symptoms of this disease include but are not limited to: prolonged bleeding, skin rash, fatigue, bone pain, and weight loss. Chronic Lymphacitic Leukemia (CLL) and Multiple Myeloma have also been linked to benzene exposure. If you or a loved one has been exposed to benzene and suffer from one of the diseases listed above, please contact the benzene attorneys at Baggett, McCall, Burgess, Watson & Gaughan – located in Lake Charles, Louisiana – for a free consultation. Benzene-Related Occupations Workers in petroleum refineries and workers involved in the transportation of benzene and benzene-containing products are most at risk of suffering health effects from benzene exposure. This includes those involved with the transportation of benzene, gasoline, or crude oil by truck, barge, or railroad. Other high risk groups include workers who are involved in the production of plastics, paints, rubber, resins, detergents, lubricants, drugs, or pesticides as well as those in the synthetic and printing industries. Finally, anyone who works in an industry that produces or uses benzene will be exposed to higher levels of the chemical than the general population. As an important aside, the general population can also become exposed to benzene by drinking water from a contaminated well. Contamination occurs when an underground storage tank begins to leak - all wells within a half-mile radius will be exposed. If you or a loved one work or live in an environment where you are exposed to benzene, you may be entitled to compensation. Please contact the benzene attorneys at Baggett, McCall, Burgess, Watson & Gaughan – located in Lake Charles, Louisiana – for a free case evaluation. Also if you believe you have had significant long-term benzene exposure, regular medical checkups are important so contact your physician. |
