Workers exposed to benzene in the past tended to work in certain positions or trades. The list below is intended to identify who may have had significant benzene exposures by inhalation exposure— when benzene fumes are breathed in — or by dermal absorption — when benzene comes in contact with the skin.
Those benzene exposures in the workplace or on the job site are often called occupational exposures.
Occupational benzene exposures are associated with an increased risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) as well as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
It is important to know that the latency period — which is the delay or time gap from a person’s benzene exposure in the past to their diagnosis of a benzene cancer (or a benzene disease) — can range from as little as a few months to as much as 30 years.
List of workers at risk of benzene exposure in the past:
Aircraft workers
Carpenters
Carpet cleaners
Chemical workers
Chemical distribution workers
Chemists
Coke oven workers (steel industry)
Dock and oil offshore workers
Electronics workers
Farmers
Firefighters
Floor layers
Fuel tank workers
Furniture workers
Gasoline distribution workers
Gas station attendants
Hazardous waste workers
Janitorial workers
Laboratory technicians
Leatherworkers
Mechanics
Metal workers
Newspaper pressmen
Painters
Paper and Pulp workers
Petroleum industry workers
Pipefitters
Printers
Refinery workers
Railroad workers
Rubber workers
Seamen
Shoemakers
Tanker truck drivers
Benzene Facts: Learn About the Use of This Toxic Chemical, as well as Science, Medical, and Legal Aspects
This Benzene Facts page may be especially helpful to workers exposed to benzene on the job or in the workplace who have been diagnosed with leukemia cancer or another disease that might be related to benzene on.
The full article consists of these four parts:
- Benzene Use Past and Present
- Benzene Science Fundamentals
- Benzene Medical Conditions
- Benzene Legal Cases
After reading the information presented on this Benzene Facts page, one might realize there is a possible case that could be filed for either:
- The worker who has been diagnosed with a benzene-related cancer or disease.
- The surviving spouse and family of such a worker who died in the past several years.
If so, we encourage you to submit a Benzene Case Review – it is free, confidential, and there is no obligation. Or, if you prefer, call our toll-free number, (800) 426-9535, to speak directly to attorney Tom Lamb about a possible benzene case.
General Background Information
- Exposure to Benzene
- Benzene-Related Diseases
- Workers Exposed to Benzene
- Benzene Exposure in Industries
- Benzene Exposure Levels
- Benzene-Containing Products
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Benzene Cancer Resources
North Carolina Information
- How to File a North Carolina Benzene Workers Comp Claim
- The Filing Deadline for NC Benzene Workers Comp Claims