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DRY CLEANERS


Toxic Tort Attorney reviewing toxic workplace exposure lawsuits for plaintiffs nationwide
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Dry Cleaning Toxic Exposure

Throughout the country, workers involved in dry cleaning, carpet cleaning, furniture and upholstery cleaning, and general maintenance crew cleaning are routinely handling toxic chemicals, endangered on a daily basis, and risk later developing serious health complications including cancer.

Benzene is one widely used chemical in a number of industries and products, although many workers remain unaware of the toxic danger of this substance, or are unaware that their cleaning products contain Benzene. Dry Cleaners and carpet cleaners who work in close proximity to benzene or benzene-containing products can be put at serious exposure risk.

Exposure to floor, dry cleaning and carpet cleaning products containing benzene and other toxins may cause life-threatening diseases including Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) and lymphomas. Dry cleaning cancer cases in Ohio are more common than previously thought.

Joe Lyon is a highly-rated Personal Injury Lawyer who has represented individuals nationwide in toxic tort claims. If you have been exposed to dangerous chemicals at the workplace, and have questions about your legal rights, please contact The Lyon Firm.

Toxic Carpet Cleaners & Dry Cleaning Cancer

The most common Benzene exposure pathway is inhalation, but the toxin can also enter the body through skin absorption via cleaning products. Once in the bloodstream, benzene affects the bone marrow and blood forming cells, white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.

Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene in the air can cause Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Benzene is associated with the following types of occupational dry cleaning cancer:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) researchers warn that carpet and certain fabrics provide a reservoir for chemicals adsorbed to dust, including pesticides, lead, heavy metals, and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons.

One study commissioned by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene emitted from many carpet products in the country.

Dry Cleaning & Carpet Cleaning Toxins

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns of possible damage to liver and kidney when using certain dry cleaning and carpet cleaning products. Some commonly used products contain perchloroethylene, a popular dry cleaning cancer causing chemical linked to nausea, dizziness and fatigue.

Naphthalene, a solvent used to dissolve dirt accumulated in carpets, is considered dangerous to the human central nervous system and is potentially carcinogenic. Some of the solvents used for carpet cleaning contain Butyloxy ethanol, potentially causing damage to the liver, central nervous system and kidneys. Other toxins may include:

  • Acetone
  • Butyloxy ethanol
  • Benzene
  • Naphthalene
  • Perchloroethylene
  • Caprolactam
  • Diethylene glycol
  • p-Dichlorobenzene
  • Formaldehyde
  • Hexane
  • Styrene
  • Toluene
  • Xylenes
  • Vinylcyclohexene

Commercial Cleaning Hazards

Hundreds of commercial cleaning products used in many capacities in almost all of American institutions and households may contain harmful toxins like Benzene, Formaldehyde and Toluene—known cancer-causing agents that may lead to Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Workplaces like schools, hospitals, hotels, restaurants and manufacturing plants commonly use strong cleaning chemicals. Maintenance crew, janitors and housekeepers who handle these products on a daily basis could be at particular risk for developing health issues like asthma, other respiratory illnesses and dry cleaning cancer. Some common products that may contain dangerous chemicals include:

  • Carpet cleaners
  • Solvents
  • Degreasers
  • Disinfectants
  • Sanitizers

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has acknowledged the health dangers of commercial carpet cleaning, and with the OSHA has provided some safety guidelines to help protect American workers from toxic chemical exposure and certain cancer risks. Both agencies recommend employers protect their workers by considering the following:

  • Using non-benzene-based cleaning products
  • Workplace Ventilation Risks
  • Using chemical-free cleaning systems
  • Providing safety equipment like gloves, masks and respirators
  • Properly training workers and monitoring the cleaning products in use

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ABOUT THE LYON FIRM

Joseph Lyon has 17 years of experience representing individuals in complex litigation matters. He has represented individuals in every state against many of the largest companies in the world.

The Firm focuses on single-event civil cases and class actions involving corporate neglect & fraud, toxic exposure, product defects & recalls, medical malpractice, and invasion of privacy.

NO COST UNLESS WE WIN

The Firm offers contingency fees, advancing all costs of the litigation, and accepting the full financial risk, allowing our clients full access to the legal system while reducing the financial stress while they focus on their healthcare and financial needs.

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A Voice for Those who have suffered

Why are these cases important?

Toxic exposure cases help empower employees to fight for their right to be protected, satisfactorily informed, and to stay safe. They also bring awareness to challenge and raise the expectations of companies that are not serving their employees justly.

CONTACT THE LYON FIRM TODAY

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Your Right to Safety

Watch our Video About Benzene

Benzene is a highly-volatile chemical used in gasoline and as a solvent in many chemical and pharmaceutical products. In 2010, the World Health Organization said exposure to Benzene was a “major public health concern.”

It is a concern because Benzene is a toxin that may cause blood cancers such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute non lymphatic leukemia. The IARC classifies it as a group 1 carcinogen. Benzene is considered as toxic asbestos.

The American Public Health Association reports that three million workers in United States at auto mechanic and repair shops, gas stations, shipping loading docks, paint manufacturing plants, printers, gas truck positions, and rubber manufacturing facilities are at risk.

Our Victories

The Lyon Firm aggressively, professionally, and passionately advocates for injured individuals and families against companies due to a defective product or recalled product to obtain just compensation under the law. 

LEAD PAINT EXPOSURE

(Hamilton County, Ohio): Confidential Settlement. Lead Counsel in a case that involved secondary lead exposure to two children. Their father worked at a local recycling plant that routinely recycled computer equipment. The company violated numerous OSHA regulations related to providing safety equipment and clothing to prevent lead particles from being transferred home. As a result, the Plaintiffs father transferred lead dust to his children who then suffered lead poisoning. The case was covered extensively by the Cincinnati news media and referenced in peer-reviewed medical literature. The settlement will provide educational needs to the children who suffered neurological injuries due the exposure.