Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

Benzene and Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Story

In 1994, the Houston Chronicle printed an article reporting the near death of a contract electrician and instrumentation specialist as a result of acute myelogenous leukemia. This very rare form of cancer was the result of prolonged exposure to benzene at Houston-area refineries and chemical plants where he worked at. In one instance of exposure, the worker was drenched in quench oil without any protective clothing. It was not until later that he found out that quench oil contains benzene. When he went home, his wife would have to handle and wash his oil soaked clothing that he had to wear all day.

Other examples of exposures to benzene occurred at a concrete pool where hydrocarbons were skimmed from wastewater and the company did not require a respirator. Respirators and gloves were not required at various other locations. At other plants, he handled straight gasoline, containing benzene, with open streams. The plant officials would tell the employees that if a chemical got on them, they had to take a shower. During a typical workday, the workers were exposed to many substances but they never gave it a second thought.

He thinks that contract workers "don't have a chance" when becoming informed about chemical hazards in the workplace. When he found out he had acute myelogenous leukemia, his platelet count dropped from an already decreased 52,000 to an almost fatal 11,000 and his weight fell from 140 to 111. Although his acute myelogenous leukemia is in remission, experts say it takes five years to prove complete remission. The acute myelogenous leukemia has left him with a substantially altered deteriorated mental and physical state.
-Houston Chronicle, Fall 1994

 

Benzene News

Chicago-area woman fighting to make a benzene cancer connection

-February 7, 2005

Premcor, formerly owned by Clark Refining & Marketing, once operated on 170 acres near Blue Island in Illinois. The refining operations were ceased in January 2001, but the company was cited by the state for dozens of environmental violations and is still involved in a lengthy cleanup that is mandated by the state of Illinois. Many of the violations involved leaks of benzene, which is known as a human carcinogen.

Read Full Article....




If you have been exposed to benzene while at work and are now suffering serious health conditions such as such as acute myelogenous leukemia, please Contact a Benzene Lawyer.