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 Chemical Exposures & Toxic Torts
Chemical Exposures and Toxic Torts
Toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, DBCP, benzene, creosote, vinyl chloride, PCBs and pesticides pose threats inside and outside the workplace. A wide range of industrial chemicals, drugs and agricultural pesticides may be linked to blood disorders, harm to pregnant women, cancer and other health problems.
Benzene
Benzene was used primarily as an industrial solvent in many chemical plants and refineries. Exposure to benzene has been linked to leukemia and other blood disorders. Individuals exposed to benzene in jet fuel leaks may also be at risk.
Exposure to Benzene may cause:
- Leukemia (AML, ANL, CLL and others)
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
- Aplastic Anemia
Creosote
Exposure to creosote – most commonly found in train ties and telephone poles – has been linked to several types of cancer and heart disease.
Litigation is currently being pursued against the manufacturers of creosote for intentionally exposing their employees to large amounts of the material. Creosote was used widely in treating raw lumber – such as in telephone poles and railroad ties – and high levels of exposure have been connected to skin cancers and potentially other major organ cancers and heart disease.
Vinyl Chloride and Other Chlorinated Hydrocarbons
Vinyl Chloride and other chlorinated hydrocarbons also have many industrial uses and are found in many chemical plants. Exposure to vinyl chloride may cause:
- Liver Cancer (Angiosarcoma)
- Lymphoma
- Brain Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Scleroderma (hardening of skin in the extremities)
- Acro-osteolysis or Reynaud’s Syndrome (tremors, pain in the extremities)
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