Thanks to labor-watch groups and activists, Apple is finally banning the use of two hazardous chemicals from the final production stages of iPhones and iPads. After an investigation into 22 factories, Apple has decided to ban the use of benzene and n-hexane during the final assembly stages of their popular electronic devices. It’s important to note that these chemicals will still be used during the initial phases of production, but that Apple has allegedly taken steps to reduce potential exposure to workers.
Benzene Exposure
Exposure to Benzene is most commonly linked with a variety of different forms of leukemia including acute lymphatic leukemia. Benzene exposure also causes damage to bone marrow, Hodgkin’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and damage to major organs include the liver, lungs, heart and kidneys. Exposure to this toxic chemical can also impact fertility and cause birth defects. Initial symptoms include dizziness, headaches, vomiting, rapid heart rate, confusion, nausea and sleepiness.
n-Hexane Exposure
The most commonly reported health problem associated with n-Hexane exposure is peripheral neuropathy. Workers who were exposed to n-Hexane were found to have nerve damage, predominantly in their arms and legs. In some of the more severe cases, the nerve damage was irreversible.
Benzene and Other Harmful Chemicals in the Workplace
Undoubtedly, exposure to benzene and other harmful chemicals happens most often in workplaces where production of some sort takes place. Factories, mills and construction sites are just a few workplaces where employees might suffer from personal injuries due to toxic chemical exposure. Since employers owe a duty of safety to their workers, it’s absolutely critical to speak with an attorney as soon as possible, if you think you may have been exposed to a toxic chemical.
The onset of personal injuries involving exposure to toxic and carcinogenic chemicals can be insidious and subtle. In some cases, it can take years for a victim to become seriously or terminally ill after exposure to a carcinogenic chemical in the workplace. If you believe you have been exposed to benzene, n-hexane or any other carcinogenic or toxic chemical, contact the experienced team at Alexander Law Group, LLP for a free case consultation today. Our skilled attorneys have successfully recovered compensation for victims of toxic chemical exposure in workplaces across California.
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