Other Industries of Concern

Because benzene is such a commonly used chemical, despite knowledge of its serious health hazards, American workers in a wide variety of industries have been chronically exposed to dangerous levels of benzene. Chemical plan t workers, such as those in the rubber and plastics industries, are particularly at risk. Machinists, ship and shipyard workers, railroad workers, and, of course, refinery workers are also at risk for benzene exposure.

Chemical plant workers generally are at risk for benzene exposure because benzene is commonly used in the manufacture of other substances. Benzene may be used—directly or indirectly—in the manufacture of a wide variety of products, including:

• Plastics
• Rubbers
• Resins
• Synthetic fibers such as nylon and rayon,
• Lubricants
• Dyes
• Detergents
• Glues
• Paper and pulp
• Drugs
• Styrofoam
• Pesticides
• Explosives

Employees working in chemical plants and paper factories are at risk for benzene exposure, both from inhaling benzene vapors and from contact with benzene in liquid form. Because benzene evaporates so quickly, benzene can be present in the air at high concentrations.

Benzene in gasoline and other fuels, as well as in solvents and mineral spirits, leads to high levels of benzene exposure for railroad and shipyard workers, as well as automotive mechanics. And certainly, workers at oil refineries are also at risk for exposure to benzene, which can be used in the refinement of oil and remains a component of gasoline products. Benzene has some applications in the refinement of oil, and for this reason can be associated with refinement plants.

Employees at steel mills have also suffered exposure to benzene. Benzene is a byproduct of coke ovens, in which “coke,” a material used to convert iron ore into iron before it’s processed into steel, is made from coal heated at high temperatures. Additionally, steel workers use solvents and degreasers to clean the metal parts of the machinery they use as well as for the steel products they manufacture.

Benzene exposure is dangerous no matter where it occurs, and these are just a few of the many occupations where benzene exposure might be a risk.B ecause benzene is one of the top 20 chemicals used in the United States by production volume, exposure to this toxic chemical has been widespread and deadly.

Unfortunately, too often companies that make benzene-containing products, such as solvents, fail to identify benzene as a component on the label. Benzene is a component of most petroleum-based solvents, even if benzene is not part of the product’s formulation. Unless the manufacturer takes affirmative steps to remove benzene from these petroleum solvents, at least some of the benzene is likely to remain. The amounts of benzene in these solvents may be small, but they can still be deadly.

If you or a loved one have developed a benzene-related disease and believe that it may have been caused by exposure to benzene in the workplace, contact us to learn more about your legal rights.