Benzene has one of the most thoroughly documented causal relationships with cancer of any occupational chemical. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies it as a Group 1 carcinogen, and among the blood cancers it causes, acute myeloid leukemia carries the strongest and most consistent association across decades of occupational research.
Claim ApplicationAfter inhalation or absorption, benzene travels in the bloodstream directly to the bone marrow, where it disrupts the production of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. At the cellular level, benzene disrupts this process:
Occupational cohort studies of petroleum, chemical, and industry workers always demonstrate a dose-response relationship, where the risk of leukemia increases in proportion to the amount of benzene exposure that workers acquire. The National Cancer Institute identifies benzene as a major cause of blood-forming tissue cancers, with the strongest evidence concentrated in AML.
Maritime workers encounter benzene through marine fuel handling, petroleum cargo operations, tank cleaning, engine room work, and degreasing solvents. Enclosed shipboard compartments with poor ventilation concentrate fuel vapors, extending the duration and intensity of exposure during every shift spent below deck.
Benzene-related leukemia can develop years or decades after the original exposure, meaning a diagnosis today may be traced directly to conditions aboard vessels worked long ago. Maritime workers and their families who have received a leukemia diagnosis deserve to understand their legal options. Reach out to ELG Law to have your occupational history reviewed and find out whether a Jones Act claim applies to your situation.