Benzene News
Underground tanks in eastern PA causing benzene exposure
In the mid-1990s, at least 50,000 gallons of gasoline began leaking from underground storage tanks at four service stations in Hazelton, Pennsylvania. It spread through the sewer system and into more than 350 homes there.
ExxonMobil charged with dumping benzene-laden water into NY creek
A New York environmental group has taken legal action against ExxonMobil for dumping poisons into Newtown Creek.
Senators protest proposed EPA benzene rules
All four senators from Washington and Oregon have demanded that the Environmental Protection Agency toughen its regulations for the cancer-causing chemical benzene in the Northwest to match those in the rest of the country. The senators—three Democrats and one Republican—expressed their views in a letter to EPA administrator Stephen Johnson, against the proposed changes to the agency’s regulations for benzene and other chemicals.
Couple brings benzene litigation against companies
Two former residents of Hartford, Connecticut have filed a benzene lawsuit against 28 defendant corporations, including BP, Conoco-Phillips and Shell Oil. Courtney and Jim Vostry allege that exposure to benzene caused Mrs. Vostry to develop myeloma, an incurable form of bone marrow cancer. The couple is seeking at least $1 million in damages, as well as court costs.
Benzene lawsuit filed against Coca-Cola
A suit has been filed against Coca-Cola as part of an effort to coerce the makers of soft drinks to get rid of ingredients that can form benzene, a cancer-causing agent. The legal action came as two smaller companies settled a benzene lawsuit of their own. Benzene has been linked to various forms of leukemia.
Two soft drink companies settle benzene lawsuit
Accusations that their soft drinks could mix to form benzene, a cancer-causing agent, was enough to convince two companies to settle a lawsuit filed in Washington, D.C. They also agreed to change formulas and offer refunds. The two firms, In Zone Brands and TalkingRain, insisted their drinks are safe and do not contain benzene (or cause symptoms of benzene exposure) but chose to settle nonetheless.
Benzene used in home decoration causing leukemia in Chinese kids
Pollutants in paint and other home decorating materials can cause blood diseases such as acute myelogenous leukemia, according to Dr. Xia Guoqiang, who is treating Hong Hong, a seven-year-old Harbin girl who has the illness. After her parents refurbished their home in November 2004, she developed symptoms that her mother initially thought were those of a common cold. But her symptoms lingered and worsened, prompting a visit to the city’s main hospital. There it was revealed that she had leukemia.