Up to 80 % of childhood leukemias are acute lymphocytic leukemia
Every year, approximately 2,200 children under 15 develop acute lymphocytic leukemia in the United States. Unlike acute myeloid leukemia, which tends to be prevalent in adults, this cancer is often diagnosed in children. Lately, there has been a growing interest in identifying the environmental risk factors that may play a role in acute lymphocytic leukemia, and one focus has been on benzene. This dangerous chemical has many sources, including refineries, industrial facilities, power plants, and automotive exhaust. Still, children as young as 8 or 9 start using antiperspirant or deodorant body spray, which is also a concerning source of toxic exposure.
A study from the medical journal Environmental Health concluded that benzene had the highest concentration level across all years as compared to 1,3-butadiene and polycyclic organic matter, exposure to which was also considered a risk factor for acute lymphocytic leukemia in children during the study. If you or your child has been using benzene deodorant and was diagnosed with this malignant disease, it is important to know that there are multiple subtypes of acute lymphocytic leukemia, such as Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphocytic leukemia, Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphocytic leukemia, B cell acute lymphocytic leukemia, and T cell acute lymphocytic leukemia.
The most common subtypes are B and T cell acute lymphocytic leukemia, which you may find on your or your child’s medical records as:
- acute B-lymphocytic leukemia
- acute precursor B cell leukemia
- pre-B cell lymphocytic leukemia
- acute T-lymphoblastic leukemia
If rats and mice breathe in benzene regularly, the solvent causes various cancerous tumors in these animals. Furthermore, study results also support the existence of a significant risk of leukemia in humans. Upon inhalation, benzene has been shown to lead to chromosome changes in bone marrow cells, which are commonly found in human leukemia cells. Over time, frequent benzene exposure, even in low doses, may cause the following, which typically precede leukemia:
- a low blood platelet count, which may cause excessive bruising and bleeding
- anemia, which can make a person feel weak and tired for no reason
- a low white blood cell count, which can lower the body’s ability to fight infection
A study from the medical journal Epidemiology found a high risk of leukemia associated with cumulative benzene exposure. By regularly using benzene antiperspirant or deodorant body spray, a person will experience cumulative exposure to the chemical, and it will constantly be in their system if they do not cease using the adulterated product. This increases their risk of developing acute lymphocytic leukemia, especially if they are a child or teen. If you have this diagnosis, we advise you to contact our acute lymphocytic leukemia attorneys at your earliest convenience, as they might be able to help you obtain financial compensation from the deodorant manufacturers.
