Toxic Exposure
Asbestos Related Cancers and Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a cancer in which malignant cells are found in the sac lining of the chest or abdomen. Exposure to airborne asbestos particles increases the risk of developing malignant mesothelioma. Companies manufacturing products containing asbestos have known for over 60 years that
asbestos can cause serious diseases.
Mesothelioma is serious and life-threatening. By the time cancer is diagnosed, the survival time of patients is usually short. Mesothelioma usually spreads throughout the peritoneal or pleural cavity before diagnosis, and complete surgical removal is unlikely. Because of this, the average survival time is only 1 year. If the cancer is found early, approximately 50% of the patients survive 2 years and approximately 20% survive 5 years. Additionally, unlike with other tumors, chemotherapy and
radiation therapy are not very effective.
Most people diagnosed with mesothelioma worked at jobs where they were exposed to asbestos. Exposure for a few as one or two months can lead to mesothelioma 10 to 50 years later. The long latency period means that people exposed to asbestos in the 1950's - 1970's may now be seeing symptoms and are now being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact us today. We can help.
Benzene Exposure
Benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon that is produced by the burning of natural products. It is a component of products derived from coal and petroleum and is found in gasoline and other fuels. Benzene is used as a constituent in motor fuels as a solvent for fats, waxes, resins, oils, inks,
paints, plastics and rubber. It is also used as a chemical intermediate in the manufacture of detergents, explosives, pharmaceuticals and dyestuffs. Research has shown benzene to be a carcinogen. With exposures from less than 5 years to more than 30 years, individuals have developed and died from leukemia. Long term exposure may affect bone marrow and blood production.
Short term exposure to high levels of benzene can cause drowsiness, dizziness, unconsciousness and death. Trade names include Benzol 90, Pyrobenzol, Polystream, Coal naphtha and Phene.
A number of studies and reviews have linked benzene exposure to certain forms of leukemia. The four major types of leukemia are:
- acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
- acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
- chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)
- chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
If you or a loved one worked around benzene and has been diagnosed with leukemia, contact the lawyers at Kahn & Harrison today.
