Is Benzene Toxic?

Benzene is a chemical found in nature and manufactured products. It’s highly toxic to humans, meaning if swallowed, touched, or even breathed in, it can cause severe and even life-threatening injuries. Benzene can appear colorless or slightly yellow when in liquid form and can easily evaporate at room temperature. Benzene has a slightly sweet smell and can dissolve somewhat in water as well as burn. The Environmental Protection Agency calls it a “known human carcinogen,” meaning that it can cause cancer in humans; more specifically, it can cause leukemia and possibly other blood-based cancers.

When you are exposed to benzene, it can interfere with the way the cells in your body work. It can cause severe damage to your immune system by altering the germ-fighting antibodies and white blood cells. Benzene can even cause your body to make fewer red blood cells, which could lead to anemia. Benzene can also damage nerves and cause other problems within your nervous system. Exposure to high levels of it may even make ovaries smaller and cause irregular periods in women.

While any exposure to benzene is considered harmful and can happen anywhere, there are two categories of exposure that you may fall into, short or longer-term exposures. For short-term exposure to high levels of benzene, the CDC highly recommends getting as far away as possible from the source of benzene. If possible, you should remove any clothing that may have benzene on it, as well as wash any exposed areas with soap and water. Once you are at a distance and have discarded the benzene, you should immediately seek medical care. If you believe you have been exposed to benzene over a long period of time, speak to a medical professional to get tested to understand the levels that could be present in your body. According to the CDC, while benzene can be measured in the blood, breath, and urine, these tests can only detect recent exposures to benzene and cannot predict possible health effects in the future.

If you or someone you love has been exposed to benzene, don’t think that you have to go at it alone. At Morgan & Morgan, our attorneys understand how difficult it can be to navigate life after you’ve been exposed to benzene. For over 35 years, we have been helping victims like you get the justice they deserve when going up against industry giants, and we want to help you too. See why millions trust Morgan & Morgan with their injury cases. For more information on how one of our attorneys can help you, please complete our free, no-obligation case evaluation form today.