As we mentioned in a recent post, exposure to benzene can cause a great many health problems, so anyone in Lake Charles would do well to avoid exposure to this toxic chemical.

Of course, that is easier said than done. People who are exposed to benzene are rarely exposed through their own fault. Usually, the exposure is the result of a company not being careful with this poisonous substance.

One man recently filed suit against five companies, including ExxonMobil, claiming that they exposed him to benzene, which led him to develop a kind of cancer called multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma affects the bone marrow cells that produce clean, new blood cells. The man claims he was exposed to benzene when he worked as a pipefitter and laborer at worksites owned by the six companies.

The man and his wife say that the companies that employed him negligently let him work in environments that, unbeknownst to him, contained benzene. He alleges the companies knew that benzene was a toxin but did not do enough, if they did anything, to keep him safe.

(Besides ExxonMobil, he is suing Austin Industrial, Huntsman Petrochemical, United States Steel Corp., Austin Industries and Texaco).

The man further alleges that because the companies allowed him to be exposed to benzene, he suffered deleterious health consequences and subsequent medical costs. He claims that his cancer now means he cannot enjoy everyday life and will need constant medical monitoring for the remainder of his days.

Source: The Southeast Texas Record, "Benzene suit filed against ExxonMobil, others," Kelly Holleran, Jan. 31, 2012