Why are Pressmen at Elevated Risk for Cancer?
Pressmen are at elevated risk for cancer – specifically leukemia – because, in years past, many printing inks, press washes, blanket washes, and roller washes contained significant amounts of benzene.
What is Benzene?
Benzene is a carcinogenic aromatic hydrocarbon. It has a sweet odor and is known to cause cancer. [1] Benzene occurs naturally in petroleum and it can be found in many of the petroleum-based solvents used to make washes and dilute printing inks. There is no safe level for exposure to benzene.
Benzene Exposure Routes: Printers & Pressmen
Inhalation – Printers and pressmen inhaled large amounts of benzene vapors when they worked with benzene-rich inks and washes. These types of exposures were, sadly, routine in the printing industry for many decades. Many presses lacked adequate ventilation and respirators were rarely provided.
Skin Absorption – Dermal exposures are also dangerous. Benzene can actually be absorbed through the skin and then into the bloodstream. Such exposures are common when cleaning presses and mixing ink. Some pressmen even washed their hands with benzene-containing solvents.
Ingestion – While less common than inhalation or skin absorption, ingestion of benzene can be harmful when it does occur. Benzene can be more readily absorbed through the stomach than it is through the lungs or skin. Think of the scenario where a pressman fails to properly wash his hands before eating his lunch.
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How Much Benzene are Pressmen Exposed to?
In the 1960’s, some press washes, blanket washes, and roller washes were pure benzene. These exposures were outrageously toxic to the blood and bone marrow systems of the printing industry workers. As a result of the number of sickened workers, the use of pure benzene in the printing industry was eventually phased out. However, that was not the end of dangerous benzene exposures in the printing industry.
Many presses replaced pure benzene with other petroleum solvents such as toluene and xylene. Unfortunately, just about every petroleum solvent is contaminated with some quantity of benzene. Industrial-grade toluene, for example, might be as much as one-quarter benzene. [2 – 4] Consequently, even in recent decades, many pressmen continued to be exposed to dangerous amounts of benzene.
Today, the amount of benzene found in petroleum solvents and, by extension, printing inks and washes has been greatly reduced. However, chronic exposures to trace quantities of benzene may amount to dangerous levels over time.
Who Is Held Responsible for a Pressman’s Leukemia?
When benzene exposures cause a worker’s leukemia, we mainly file lawsuits against the manufacturers of the benzene-containing products. Our focus is on the petro-chemical conglomerates who knew that benzene was dangerous and yet, failed to warn the end users of the products. Some examples of how these claims work can be found below.
Leukemia Lawyers for Printers and Pressmen
If you or a loved one worked in the printing industry and received a diagnosis of AML, MDS, NHL, MM, or another type of leukemia, contact Hughes Law Offices today. Your time to file a lawsuit is limited. Request an appointment online, or call 1-800-BENZENE to speak directly with one of our benzene attorneys. All consultations are free of charge.
