Why Did the ACGIH Lower the Standard for Benzene Exposure?
The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) is a scientific organization that strives to improve occupational and environmental health. Recently, the ACGIH changed its benzene exposure standards. The standards that ACGIH publishes are used by employers and governments to help create a safer workplace for people working with potentially dangerous toxins.
The new threshold limit value (TLV) for benzene is 0.02 ppm, which is 25 times lower than the previous standard. It’s worth noting that benzene can easily be absorbed through the skin, especially if the worker’s duties result in cuts and scrapes to the hands (e.g. mechanics and machinists). ACGIH’s new lower standard for benzene exposures follows new published studies that show low-level benzene exposures can still cause cancers like acute myeloid leukemia.
What Types of Industry Workers are Most at Risk for Benzene Exposure?
Workers in certain industries are exposed to benzene more frequently due to the nature of their work. This continual exposure to benzene without the proper protective equipment and warnings can create serious health issues for these workers. Here are some of the workers that are at elevated risk for exposure:
Why Does the Change in the TLV Matter?
Benzene is a known carcinogen. Our medical experts contend that there is no safe level of benzene exposure. Therefore, manufacturers and suppliers must be mindful when scientific organizations, like the ACGIH, provide updated guidance on safer exposure levels. It is critical that manufacturers and suppliers adhere to these limits because benzene exposure levels are something that can be controlled. Importantly, when exposures are unavoidable, suppliers and manufacturers have a duty to properly warn end users of the products.
How Can Benzene Impact You?
We know that benzene causes acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome and is associated with non-hodgkin’s lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Leukemia is an aggressive cancer that impacts the body’s bone marrow and blood. As the consequences of benzene are so severe, it is critical that benzene be removed from these products. Eliminating or even decreasing benzene levels will lessen the leukemia risk.
Talk To an Experienced Benzene Attorney Today:
The chemical industry is very adept at defending benzene lawsuits. Industry defendants often employ multiple law firms on single cases and retain the best experts money can buy. When you’re going toe to toe against a petro-chemical giant, it is vital that you have the right team of lawyers and experts working to prove your case. If you or a loved one had occupational exposure to benzene and have been diagnosed with a bone or blood cancer, call 1-800-BENZENE today and speak with one of our attorneys.
