Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is a blood cancer that is more common in mechanics and other workers who use benzene, a toxic chemical that is known to cause cancer.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting benzene induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Toxic Chemical Exposure Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Benzene and Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Benzene is a toxic chemical that is known to cause Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). People who are exposed to high levels of benzene for years are more likely to develop Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). Low-level benzene exposure is not associated with CML.
What is the problem?
Benzene is a sweet-smelling toxic chemical that evaporates quickly in the air. When people breathe benzene over many years, it can accumulate in their bones and cause cancer. The problem is that benzene exposure is hard to avoid for millions of workers. Benzene is found in solvents (degreasers, cleaning chemicals, etc.), motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline, diesel fuel, paint, paint thinners, ink, pesticides, glue, asphalt, lighter fluid, and other products.
What is the Risk?
Benzene exposure was estimated to increase the risk of CML by 23% in a recent meta-analysis of several studies. Higher levels of benzene exposure increase the risk of CML. Evidence linking Benzene and leukemia dates back to the 1920s, but most products that contain benzene do not carry warning labels about the risk.
Studies Linking Benzene and CML
In 1975, the first study linking benzene and CML reported 8 cases among rubber workers. Dozens of studies and case reports have linked benzene and CML since the 1970s. One study in Sweden in 1988 estimated a 50% increased risk of CML based on 33 cases in motor mechanics. Another study in Shanghai in 2003 estimated a 3.3-fold increased risk of CML in people who were exposed to benzene for at least 15 years.
What is Chronic Myeloid Leukemia?
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is an uncommon type of blood cancer that is caused when the bone marrow produces too many white blood cells. These leukemia cells crowd out healthy cells and they do not fight infections very well. Other names for CML include chronic granulocytic leukemia or chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Signs & Symptoms of CML
CML grows slowly and it does not usually cause symptoms in the early stages. When symptoms do appear, they are vague and easily mistaken for other health problems. The symptoms may include:
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Night sweats
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Bone pain
- Joint pain
- Enlarged spleen (under the left side of the ribcage)
- Pain or “fullness” in the belly
- Feeling full after eating a small amount of food
Complications of Chronic Leukemia
People with leukemia have a high risk of serious bacterial infections, bruising, bleeding disorders, and frequent nosebleeds. These are complications of leukemia cells rather than healthy blood cells. CML can cause chronic pain in the bones or joints when leukemia cells spread from the bone marrow to the surface of the bones or the joints.
Diagnosis of Chronic Leukemia
People with leukemia are usually diagnosed when a blood test shows abnormal blood cell counts. Over time, CML causes complications like anemia (shortage of red blood cells), leukopenia (shortage of white blood cells), thrombocytopenia (shortage of blood platelets), and neutropenia (shortage of infection-fighting neutrophils).
Do I have a Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting benzene induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Toxic Chemical Exposure Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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