Among the many occupational hazards that a Jones Act seaman or a longshoreman faces, is exposure to benzene. This is a chemical compound with a sweet smell that also happens to be a deadly carcinogen. The use of benzene which used to be widespread earlier, has declined as awareness of its carcinogen properties has grown. However, many industries still depend on benzene, and it continues to be transported on cargo vessels, exposing workers on these vessels to its ill effects. Workers employed on an oil rig are also at a high risk for benzene exposure.

The biggest hazard from benzene exposure comes not through a single massive dose of benzene, but rather through a prolonged period of exposure in low doses. The biggest risk of long-term exposure to benzene is to the circulatory system.

• Benzene can lead to a drop in red blood cells, causing anemia.
• It has also been linked to heavy bleeding.
• It may leave a person with a weakened immune system.
• A person may have higher rates of infection.
• Long term exposure can also cause leukemia, a deadly type of blood cancer.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has set limits for permissible exposure to benzene at one part benzene per million parts of air (1ppm). These limits cannot be exceeded in the span of an 8-hour day over a 40-hour week.

Maritime lawyer Brian Beckcom is a Board Certified trial lawyer, whose primary focus is the representation of injured Jones Act seamen, tankermen, galleyhands, deckhands, drillers, oilrig workers, offshore workers and other maritime workers in accidents in Texas, around the country and in international waters.