Benzene in Coal Mining

It is estimated that in the United States three million workers are exposed to dangerous levels of benzene every year, despite strict government scrutiny. Benzene in coal mining poses a potential health threat to those individuals who are employed in this industry or who live in close proximity to coal mining facilities. Benzene is a carcinogenic emission produced in the coking process of coal mining. Exposure to long term low levels of benzene in the work environment or acute short term exposure can lead to a number of health problems ranging from nausea, insomnia, headache and dizziness to convulsions, coma, cancer, chromosomal aberrations, anemia and even death.

Because benzene in coal mining poses such a significant danger to human health, government agencies have placed restrictions on the levels of benzene that are permissible in the workplace. The standards set by OSHA require that levels of benzene in coal mining and other workplace environments cannot exceed one part per million for an eight hour day and five parts per million in a fifteen minute period. Employers are required to start monitoring benzene in coal mining and other industries when levels reach 0.5 parts per million.

Levels of benzene in coal mining have decreased over the years with public awareness and industry regulations. Exposure to benzene in coal mining at the beginning of the 1900s was as high as one thousand parts per million.

Maximum levels of benzene in coal mining differ from the permissible levels of benzene from other sources. In drinking water, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set the maximum contamination level at five parts per billion. The EPA has also set the level of benzene permissible in outdoor air levels at five parts per billion. Because the threat of poisoning in relation to benzene in coal mining and other industries (especially oil and gasoline industries) is so much greater than the risk from air or water exposure, workplace standards are much stricter.

Leukemia is a common result of long term exposure to benzene in coal mining. There are several types of leukemia that have been linked to benzene exposure. The more common type is Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Leukemia hinders or disables an individual''s bone marrow from properly producing red blood cells, white blood cells and/or platelet cells in the blood.

The EPA predicts that the use of coal as a source of fuel and petrochemicals will increasingly replace the use of petroleum and natural gas. New coking, gasification, and liquefaction coal processes are all potential sources of exposure to benzene in coal mining. Despite government regulations, people in the coal industry still run the risk of being exposed to dangerous levels of benzene in the workplace.

If you are the victim of an injury resulting from benzene in coal mining you may be eligible to seek compensation for your losses through a legal claim.

Benzene Breaking News

"Unsafe Benzene Exposure in Alabama"

A recent study conducted by the Conservation Alabama Foundation (CAF) has found that four of Alabama's largest cities contain highly polluted air, including high levels of benzene. Amo...

» Read More

"Petrochem Companies' Products Contact Benzene"

Texas couple Jan and James Callihan filed a lawsuit against six petrochemical companies, claiming the products the defendants produce and distribute exposed James to unsafe levels of benzene. They allege this exposure is what caused J...

» Read More

"Mayor of Houston to Fight Benzene Emissions"

Three-term Houston Mayor Bill White has recently found a creative way to try to force certain industries into making changes that would reduce their excessive benzene emissions – by interfering with the renewal of their operating permits.

<...

» Read More

Online Lawyer Source

Lawyers & Legal News Near You

Need Legal Help?

Start Here for a Free Case Review!

Benzene

Find a Lawyer in Your State

Need Help?

Benzene in Coal Mining

Benzene Breaking News

"Unsafe Benzene Exposure in Alabama"

"Petrochem Companies' Products Contact Benzene"

"Mayor of Houston to Fight Benzene Emissions"

Other Areas of Law