What To Do After Benzene Exposure

Benzene is a known human carcinogen used in a variety of products. It is also present in nature and is common in specific industries. Exposure to benzene can cause many adverse health effects and diseases.

Common sources of benzene include the following:

• Tobacco smoke
• Crude oil
• Motor vehicle exhaust
• Factory emissions

Depending on where you live, you can also find it in trace amounts in the dirt, air, and water.

Because benzene is so dangerous, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other agencies have created regulations controlling the presence of benzene. For example, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set precise exposure limits to how much benzene workers can be exposed to (1 ppm). Employees may be eligible for workers' compensation benefits if their employer violates these standards.

If overexposed to benzene, you should focus on medical care to prevent further damage. You should also consult a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Benzene in the Air and on Clothing

When companies or processes release benzene into the air, people breathe it in. Depending on the levels of benzene, this can make you extremely sick. You must get fresh air by moving away from the exposed area. The same is true if somebody releases benzene indoors.

If you work in an environment prone to benzene exposure, don't bring the toxic chemical home to your family. Remove any contaminated clothing as soon as you enter your house. Don't pull contaminated clothing over your head. Cut it off instead. Wash the garments immediately to prevent further exposure.

If you're helping others remove their clothing, don't touch the contaminated areas. Remove your clothing as quickly as possible. Dispose of contaminated clothing in a plastic bag. Wear gloves if you can't touch the clothing without exposing yourself to the affected areas. You can also use tongs, tool handles, sticks, or similar objects to dispose of contaminated clothing if necessary.

Place anything that touches the contaminated clothing in a plastic bag. Double-seal the bag.

Benzene on Skin or in Eyes

If you get benzene on your skin, wash it with soap and hot water. Skin contact with benzene can irritate and degrease your skin. Wash it off immediately to prevent undue harm.

You should also avoid touching other people with benzene on your skin. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), people inhaling benzene can't contaminate others. But if they ingest or touch it, they can transfer it to your skin.

If it gets in your eyes, rinse them with plain water for 10-15 minutes. Remove contact lenses after washing your hands and put them with your contaminated clothing. Don't put your contact lenses back in. Wash contaminated eyeglasses with soap and water, and then you can wear them.

Ingesting Benzene

If you or your child swallow benzene, seek immediate medical attention. Do not induce vomiting or attempt CPR (which also causes vomiting) since vomit can enter your lungs, causing damage to the lungs.

Reporting the Exposure

If exposed to benzene at work, you must take specific steps to protect your legal rights. If the exposure happened during employment, you'll probably be eligible for workers' compensation.

To increase the chances of the insurance company approving your workers' comp claim, do the following things immediately after you learn of the benzene poisoning:

• Report the exposure to your manager or human resources department
• Seek immediate medical attention
• Follow whatever medical advice your workers' compensation doctor recommends
• Talk to a workers' comp attorney near you to help with your claim

If your exposure didn't happen at work, you still need immediate medical attention. Then, you should meet with a toxic tort lawyer and find out if you have a valid legal claim. You may get damages if you can prove who caused your injuries or illness.

Who Is at Risk?

While it is common for workers to encounter benzene on the job, that's not the only way you can come into contact with this harmful substance. You may expose yourself to benzene when you use certain products. Or you may live near an industrial plant that emits high levels of benzene.

People in parts of the country with forest fires or volcano eruptions are also at risk of benzene exposure. These things can poison the air, soil, and drinking water. You may not even realize that you ingested or inhaled benzene. That's why it's crucial you know the symptoms of benzene exposure.

Avoid Products Containing Benzene

It can be impossible to avoid certain types of benzene. For example, when you stop to get gas, there's a good chance you'll encounter the chemical through other vehicles' exhaust systems. You can also suffer benzene poisoning if you smoke or spend time around other people's cigarette smoke.

One thing you can do is avoid products that you know contain this harmful chemical. Since benzene is so dangerous, you might think manufacturers can't use it. But, manufacturers use benzene in many products. Plenty of products in your home and on the market still contain high levels of benzene.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information about benzene, including some of the products containing benzene. Such products include the following:

• Dyes
• Detergents
• Rubber
• Plastics
• Pesticides
• Drugs
• Adhesives
• Industrial solvents
• Resins

These are products that you probably have in your home. Sometimes, you can't avoid using these products. Just make sure you're careful when handling them.

What Are the Symptoms of Benzene Exposure?

It's best to recognize the symptoms of benzene poisoning. That's the only way to ensure you get the medical attention you need.

Of course, just because you have some of these symptoms doesn't mean you're in danger. But if you come into contact with benzene, even low levels of benzene, refer to this list of common symptoms.

Some of the effects of benzene include:

• Drowsiness
• Sleepiness
• Confusion
• Headaches
• Chest pain
• Convulsions
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat

When you go to the hospital, share your symptoms with the doctor. Also, let them know how you came into contact with benzene. For example, ingestion is different from inhalation. Your doctors will need this information to treat you properly.

Your doctor will run the necessary toxicology tests to determine the amount of benzene in your system. These tests will also help determine the nature of your injury or illness.

Why Is Benzene So Dangerous?

One of the reasons benzene is so dangerous is that you don't always know when it's present. Other than the fact that it has a sweet odor, it can be hard to detect this toxin. That's why it can have such an impact on physical and environmental health.

If you experience long-term exposure to benzene, you can develop several adverse health effects. These include:

• Leukemia
• Damage to your nervous system
• Aplastic anemia
• Liver and kidney damage

The benzene impacts your bone marrow, which, in turn, threatens your red blood cells and white blood cells. This compromises your immune system and can cause certain cancers. Whether you become sick depends on the concentration of benzene that you encounter. It also depends on exposure levels. For example, short-term exposure may not cause any physical effects. But, long-term exposure can have devastating consequences.

Avoiding Future Exposure to Benzene

Now that you understand how dangerous benzene can be, you must try to avoid future exposure. While you can do nothing to avoid car exhaust and other environmental exposures to benzene, you can try to limit your exposure. Below is a short list of tips for limiting your exposure to benzene.

• Ventilation — Ensure good ventilation in indoor spaces, primarily if you work with or around products that contain benzene. Proper ventilation helps disperse airborne contaminants.
• Limit benzene-containing products — Avoid using or being around benzene products, such as specific cleaning agents, paint thinners, glues, and solvents. Choose alternative products whenever possible.
• Choose clean burning fuels — If you use fuel-burning appliances or vehicles, opt for cleaner burning fuels that produce fewer emissions, which can help reduce ambient benzene levels.
• Air quality monitoring — Consider using indoor air quality monitors to track pollutants, including volatile organic compounds like benzene.
• Properly maintain vehicles — Regularly service and maintain your vehicles to ensure proper combustion and reduce emissions. This can help limit benzene exposure from exhaust fumes.
• Choose safe locations — If you're relocating or selecting a new home, consider air quality and proximity to potential sources of benzene, such as industrial areas or heavily trafficked roads.
• Workplace safety — If you work in an environment where benzene is present, follow workplace safety procedures, use protective equipment, and take part in training to cut exposure.

Legal Ramifications

If exposed to benzene at work, you may need to file a workers' compensation claim. This will help cover your medical care and some of your lost wages. But, if exposed to the chemical in some other way, you may need to file a legal claim against the responsible party.

The tricky thing about filing a benzene lawsuit is that proving causation is challenging. You may know that a local factory emits tons of benzene. But you may not recover damages if you can't prove that it caused your illness.

For the best chance at a favorable outcome, consider hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer to help file your lawsuit. You can call an attorney near you and schedule your free case evaluation.