Toxic Exposure
Exposure to Asbestos, Benzene, Other Toxins Causes Injuries and Death
Workers in the manufacturing, automotive, and industrial careers may be exposed to toxic chemicals such as asbestos and benzene, which have been linked to devastating and deadly diseases. Prolonged exposure to asbestos is a known leading cause of the cancer mesothelioma, while benzene exposure has been tied to leukemia and contact with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) can lead to the lung cancer angiosarcoma.
Toxic exposure is a common source of injury to workers and people who live near facilities where chemicals are made, used, or disposed of. Toxic chemicals can be inhaled as vapors or allowed to seep into the ground, where they can affect the drinking water of thousands of people living nearby.
Toxic Exposure Careers
Workers in the following careers are at increased risk of toxic exposure to asbestos, benzene, and other toxic substances:
- Construction
- Automotive repair
- Electrical
- Printing
- Painting
- Oil drilling and exploration
Diseases Linked to Toxic Exposure
Benzene is a toxic industrial solvent that has been linked to the following diseases:
- AML (Acute Myelogenous Leukemia)
- ALL (Acute Lymphatic Leukemia)
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- MDS (MyleoDysplastic Syndromes)
- Aplastic Anemia
Asbestos is a fibrous material that was used for decades as insulation in building materials, automobile brake pads, and other products. It is a leading cause of mesothelioma, a fast-moving and deadly cancer that targets the linings of the body’s internal organs.
PVC, a chemical found in many plastic pipes and other construction materials, is known to cause angiosarcoma, a deadly and aggressive form of lung cancer.
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