Benzene, the Lethal Weapon.

Benzene 
Benzene was initially discovered as a chemical compound in the mid-1820s by an English scientist named Michael Faraday.

Michael Faraday

Charles Mansfield

Having been able to successfully isolate and remove benzene from oil gas, Faraday found the chemical compound to have a variety of valuable properties. It was not until 1849 that benzene would be produced on an industrial level after another Englishman, chemist Charles Mansfield, successfully isolated the chemical compound from coal tar.
Benzene is still produced industrially based on Mansfield's coal-tar method; however, the vast majority of today's benzene is produced by the petrochemical industry. Benzene can be produced more efficiently from petroleum than from coal. 




About Benzene 
Benzene is a type of common organic compound that is used widely throughout the chemical industry. Often referred to as PhH or benzol, benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon (AH) that is incredibly toxic when inhaled, ingested or absorbed via the skin. It is a colorless liquid that is highly flammable and has a sweet and distinctive smell - hence the aromatic classification.

3-D Image of Benzene's Structure

Structure of Benzene Ring

Benzene can be produced naturally as a byproduct of carbon-rich materials undergoing incomplete combustion. Benzene also occurs naturally in crude oil and has been used as a gasoline additive because it can increase octane ratings and minimize engine "knocking." It has been used to decaffeinate coffee, as an aftershave and as an industrial solvent (metal degreaser) in the past; however, the most common use of benzene is as a precursor in the production of other chemicals. Benzene and benzene derivatives (styrene, phenol and cyclohexane) are still found in varying amounts in a variety of products, some of which include pesticides, drugs, rubbers, lubricants, dyes and detergents.




Uses of Benzene

Prior to widespread knowledge of benzene toxicity, the chemical compound was commonly used as an industrial solvent. It has since been replaced by a variety of other solvents.

One of the more common uses of benzene prior to its regulation was as a gasoline additive. Benzene increases the octane rating of gasoline, making it a widely used anti-knocking agent. Although the use of benzene as an additive in gasoline has seen a resurgence in certain nations around the world, benzene health concerns have prevented such a return-to-use in the United States, where the gasoline content of benzene is strictly regulated.

Today, benzene is used primarily to aid in the production of other chemicals. There are a number of derivative compounds that are produced using benzene, some of which include styrene, phenol and cyclohexane. 

Benzene and benzene derivatives can be found throughout a variety of products that can include:

Pesticides
Detergents
Dyes
Lubricants
Rubber
Drugs
Explosives

Benzene Exposure - Benzene Health Effects

Prolonged benzene exposure has been linked with a host of negative health effects, many of which can be fatal if not properly treated. The exact nature of its effects typically depends upon the manner by which a person is exposed to benzene.

If benzene is inhaled, it can cause dizziness, tachycardia, headaches, confusion, tremors and unconsciousness. If inhalation of benzene occurs in high levels or over a long period of time, it could even result in death. If benzene is ingested, it can cause a great deal of stomach irritation, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, tachycardia and death.

Effects of Benzene in Our Body

The most significant adverse health effect of benzene exposure is damage to the blood. This condition is especially treacherous if it occurs during pregnancy because it hinders normal development of the fetus. Parents who suspect that their children's health conditions, such as acute childhood leukemia, were caused by benzene exposure, should contact experienced birth injury lawyers. These specialists can help them initiate prompt legal action to hold the responsible parties financially liable.

The chemical compound is classified as a human carcinogen by the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Prolonged exposure can lead to the development of leukemia, a potentially fatal type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Benzene exposure has been definitively linked with bone marrow damage that causes a reduction in red blood cell levels (anemia).

Benzene and Acute Myeloid Leukemia

It has been determined that long-term exposure to benzene and benzene-laden materials can lead to the development of acute myeloid leukemia (acute myelogenous leukemia - AML), a type of cancer that affects the body's white blood cells. AML sufferers have abnormal blood cell production in their bone marrow, leaving them susceptible to infections and other problems related to an immune system deficiency.

People suffering from AML typically present a number of symptoms that can include fatigue, bleeding and infection. AML is a treatable disease, with approximately 50% to 75% of adult sufferers experiencing complete remission (no AML detected). AML sufferers are most often treated via chemotherapeutic means in the form of induction chemotherapy and post-remission chemotherapy.

If you or your loved one has been exposed to benzene and has suffered adverse health effects as a result, you should contact a skilled personal injury attorney to determine if you are entitled to compensation. In many cases whereby benzene exposure victims have been injured due to someone's negligence, they are entitled to receive just remuneration for medical expenses, physical and emotional suffering, lost wages, reduced future income and reduction in lifestyle. In cases whereby injured parents have lost their ability to care for their children, they often consult with experienced family attorneys to explore available legal protections and provisions.