Benzene Exposure Risk
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Toxic Benzene in Discarded Cigarette Butts October 23 , 2008 Cigarette butts are one of the most common pieces of litter. They are commonly seen in foliage, gutters and on sidewalks in both rural cities and urban centers. In fact, according to the Journal of Tobacco Control, over 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are littered in the U.S. every year. While such a massive amount of cigarette butts creates an obvious eyesore, it is also contributing to an environmental nightmare, as the toxins from them can easily contaminate water and soil. Toxins in Cigarette ButtsContrary to popular conception and urban myth, cigarette butts (also referred to as "filters") aren't made of cotton. Instead, they are composed of cellulose acetate, a type of plastic that can take up to 10 years to fully biodegrade. This means that some of the following toxins, once released into the environment via cigarette butts, can keep contaminating the environment – harming both people and animals - for a significant period of time: • acetone Of these, benzene is one of the most toxic. Health Problems Resulting from BenzeneBenzene is a sweetly fragrant substance that easily dissolves in air, soil and water. When discarded cigarette filters get into our oceans and topsoil, they will naturally contaminate the environment with benzene as the cellulose acetate slowly biodegrades. Any humans or animals unlucky enough to come into contact with such benzene leaks will likely experience: • nausea If benzene exposure persists for longer periods of time, the health effects can be devastating, as benzene exposure can cause incurable, fatal conditions, including leukemia. Other Environmental Impacts of CigarettesIn addition to leaking toxic benzene and causing severe health problems, cigarettes – and the act of smoking them – also negatively impacts the environment by releasing: • about 5.5 billion pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year • over 11 billion pounds of methane into the environment annually Both carbon dioxide and methane are considered to be "greenhouse gases," as they trap the sun's heat within the Earth's atmosphere and, consequently, contribute to global warming. Although both of these greenhouse gases are naturally present in small amounts within the atmosphere, over the past 150 years, they (along with other greenhouse gases) have caused the Earth's temperature to increase by 1°F. (Source: The Boston Globe) Have you or a loved one been harmed by benzene exposure? If so, contact us today to meet with an experienced benzene lawyer who can help you pursue your legal claim and win your highly deserved compensation. Click here for more Benzene News...
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