Everyday, employees across a range of industries are exposed to a variety of toxic chemicals in their work environment.  Employers are required to set limits on exposure to toxic chemicals to prevent the risk of excessive contact with them. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has its own set of limits for chemical exposure called RELs, or Recommended Exposure Limit.  The limits imposed by the Occupational Safety and Healthy Administration are called PELs (Permissible Exposure Limits). The PELs relate to enforceable limits for general industry, construction industry, and the shipyard industry, and cover exposure to toxic substances, air contaminants, mineral dust and hazardous waste. OSHA also addresses specific standards for ventilation for the general, longshoring, shipping and construction industries to minimize toxic exposure in confined spaces.

Employers are required to make regular tests of the atmosphere to prevent excessive concentrations of carbon monoxide, and other toxic gases. Workers must be provided personal protective equipment that is recommended for use before exposure to a toxic agent. Workers who may be affected at any stage of the process, from manufacture to handling and loading, must be protected from excessive exposure to toxic agents.  Often, workers may not be aware of the presence of chemicals in their environment, placing them at great risk for excessive toxic exposure. Employers are required to provide training to employees, and provide for complete understanding of the workplace injuries and occupational illnesses that can result from toxic exposure.

Asbestos Exposure

The term 'asbestos' refers to a group of minerals that are used in the construction industry as insulation materials, in the textile industry, and in the cement industry. The minerals can disintegrate into microscopic particles that quickly find their way into the body via the respiratory system. Over the years, thousands of workers in these industries, who had been exposed to asbestos, have been diagnosed with, and died from lung cancer, and other serious lung related conditions. Asbestos is not used as widely as before, but it's presence in industry still poses a significant risk to workers who are exposed to it.

Benzene Exposure

Benzene is a highly flammable, colorless, sweet smelling liquid that is one of the most widely used chemicals in the American manufacturing sector. In fact, it ranks in the top 20 chemicals in terms of sheer volume of production. It is widely used in the plastic, nylon, rubber, dyes and detergent and pesticide industries. Although benzene occurs naturally in crude oil and cigarette smoke, the main sources of benzene exposure are found in industrial processes. Workers who work in these high risk industries are more likely to fall ill from the effects of benzene exposure.

Effects of Benzene Exposure

The short term effects of inhaling high levels of benzene are drowsiness, accelerated heart rate, muscle tremors and disorientation. However, the most significant health hazards associated with benzene come from prolonged exposure and can be seen in its effect on the blood and bone marrow. There may be a reduction in red blood cells, resulting in anemia, development of several types of leukemia which is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, as well as non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Benzene has been determined by the Department of Health of Human Services (DHHS) to be a known carcinogen, and has been declared by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as being carcinogenic to human beings. OSHA limits for benzene exposure are one part benzene per million parts of workplace air, established for 40 hour work weeks of 8 hour shifts.