A nearby resident who receives any kind of leukemia diagnosis may be eligible to file a toxic exposure claim for ethylene oxide. If you believe your leukemia may be related to EtO exposure, talk to a skilled EtO lawyer at ELG Law to figure out the next legal steps you can take.
Numerous studies in recent years show that EtO does indeed damage cells. The harm it causes to the body may lead to cancers like leukemia. Symptoms of leukemia may include:
- Fever and night sweats
- Fatigue and weakness
- Weight loss
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Enlargement of the spleen or liver
- Tendency to easily bruise or bleed
The mechanisms of EtO causing leukemia
Leukemia develops through a multi-step process of genetic mutations and epigenetic alterations that disrupt normal blood cell differentiation. When ethylene oxide, a known mutagenic agent, enters the body through inhalation or ingestion (through contaminated food or items), the EtO molecules circulate via the bloodstream and reach blood-forming tissues in the bone marrow.
When EtO molecules reach the bone marrow, they chemically bind to DNA in blood cells by adding small alkyl groups to DNA bases. The process is known as DNA adduct formation. These DNA adducts interfere with normal DNA replication, causing blood-forming cells to make copying errors that result in point mutations. When mutations accumulate in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, the affected cells can proliferate uncontrolled, triggering malignancy.