Benzene: Side Effects, Exposure Risks & Lawsuit Information

Benzene is a chemical frequently used in the United States. Exposure can lead to serious health risks, including aplastic anemia, cancer and fertility issues.

You may have been exposed to benzene through everyday products like cleaners, automobile exhaust and cigarette smoke. If your exposure to the chemical has resulted in severe side effects, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit.

Benzene is a toxic, commonly used chemical in the United States. It’s colorless or light yellow, flammable and smells sweet.

This chemical occurs naturally in crude oil and gas emissions from volcanoes and forest fires. It can also be man-made and is used in gasoline, to produce other chemicals and as a solvent in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

Since benzene is so common, many people encounter it daily. You might be exposed to it when you breathe automobile exhaust, gasoline fumes, industrial emissions or tobacco smoke.

Cigarettes account for roughly half of all benzene exposure in the U.S. and 90% of exposure in smokers. Benzene is also found in everyday products like paint strippers, cleaning products, glues and adhesives. Gas stoves can even be a source of exposure.

Signs of benzene exposure can include irritation of your skin and respiratory system. If you breathe in or consume large amounts of benzene, you may notice symptoms within minutes or hours.

Benzene doesn’t stay in your body very long. The chemical breaks down quickly, and its metabolites are eliminated from the body via urine within approximately 24 hours.

Doctors can test for benzene exposure, but they must give the test immediately after exposure and cannot predict if any future health effects will occur.

Benzene exposure has been linked to serious medical risks, including cancer, immune system damage, aplastic anemia and fertility issues.

Benzene Exposure Linked to Cancer

Exposure to benzene can increase your chances of developing cancer. An article in Carcinogenesis states that “benzene causes acute myeloid leukemia and probably other hematological malignancies.”

Additional research supports this statement. Researchers in a 2021 study published in Blood Reviews found evidence indicating that low-dose benzene exposure can contribute to leukemogenicity.

Leukemia isn’t the only cancer linked to benzene. The Lancet published an article that evaluated 20 studies about benzene and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It found a causal relationship between benzene and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, particularly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Authors of an article published in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers Prevention reviewed 43 studies about non-Hodgkin lymphoma risk in workers who are exposed to benzene. They discovered that evidence points to an association between occupational exposure to benzene and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Long-Term Benzene Exposure Symptoms

Long-term benzene exposure can adversely impact your bone marrow. This may result in low red and white blood cell counts as well as low platelet counts. These issues can leave you feeling tired and more prone to infections. They can also cause you to bruise more easily.

An article in the European Journal of Haematology found that high-level exposure to benzene can cause a specific form of anemia called aplastic anemia. This can lead to uncontrolled bleeding and a higher risk of developing infections.

Chronic exposure to benzene can cause hormonal changes that may result in irregular menstruation or miscarriages. There is also evidence that benzene has developmental toxicity for fetuses exposed in utero. Animal studies show that high levels of benzene exposure may delay bone formation or cause bone marrow damage and low birth weight in fetuses.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have issued warnings related to benzene in common consumer products.

The FDA recalled various products contaminated with benzene. This included spray sunscreens and antiperspirants, certain hand sanitizers and acne products containing benzoyl peroxide. Five of these products were specific Neutrogena and Aveeno aerosol sunscreens, which are manufactured by Johnson & Johnson.

Since the FDA classifies these items as “drug products,” the Administration reminded drug manufacturers to ensure all components of their products are safe and meet quality standards. Manufacturers were told that benzene should not be used in drug manufacturing.

Furthermore, the EPA classifies benzene as a carcinogen. This means the chemical is a recognized cancer-causing agent.

There have also been numerous government actions related to benzene exposure.

Multiple Porter Rock natural gas leak lawsuits were filed when people in and around Porter Rock, California, were exposed to elevated benzene levels after a natural gas leak. For example, the City of Los Angeles sued Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) because it took several days to notify them of the leak.

The County Counsel of Los Angeles County also filed a claim, stating that SoCalGas was responsible for the largest natural gas leak in U.S. history. This leak caused thousands of people in Porter Ranch to evacuate and may have exposed them to unsafe levels of benzene and other chemicals. SoCalGas settled with the County for $119.5 million in 2018.

Thousands of other lawsuits regarding this leak were filed as well.

In 2022, President Joe Biden signed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. This allowed people who were harmed by contaminated well water on this North Carolina Marine Corps base to receive compensation.

People have also filed thousands of additional Camp Lejeune lawsuits. Cases are ongoing as of 2025.

Benzene lawsuits are being filed because plaintiffs claim they experienced severe health issues resulting from exposure to benzene. They allege their exposure resulted in:

Allegations also include corporate negligence. Plaintiffs claim that defendants:

Lawsuits have been filed against personal care brands with products containing benzene. These include Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble and Edgewell Personal Care.

To reduce benzene exposure, avoid using products that contain the chemical. This can help reduce your chances of developing benzene-related health issues.

You can further minimize your benzene exposure by:

Benzene is also found in many home, body and cosmetic products. For example, the FDA recalled Banana Boat sunscreen due to the presence of benzene. This recall notice and others are available on the FDA’s website. Watching for recalls related to benzene can help minimize your exposure.

If you are directly exposed to benzene, seek medical attention immediately. Leave the area where the exposure occurred and remove your clothing as soon as possible. Do not pull contaminated clothing over your head. Instead, cut it off.

Wash your entire body with soap and water, and rinse your eyes with plain water for 15 minutes. If you wear contact lenses, remove them with clean hands and place them with any contaminated clothing. If you wear glasses, remove and wash them.

After washing, place any contaminated items in a plastic bag and seal it to ensure no one else comes into contact with the chemical. Make sure that emergency workers know where your contaminated items are so they can safely dispose of them.

It’s also wise to compile records about your benzene exposure along with any doctor’s notes, symptoms and diagnoses you receive in case you decide to file a lawsuit. Talking with an attorney can help you understand your options if you want to pursue legal action.