Vinyl Chloride Exposure
Over A Billion Recovered Nationwide
Vinyl Chloride Monomer Exposure
Toxic Exposure Injury Attorneys – Serving Clients Nationwide
Doctors pinpointed the carcinogenicity of vinyl chloride in the late 1960s. Studies of workers in polyvinyl chloride polymerization of certain plastic and rubber factories revealed that numerous workers had been diagnosed with liver angiosarcoma. Additional research involving polyvinyl chloride workers in other countries, including Germany, Italy, the UK, and Australia, also found and confirmed increased risks of certain types of cancers with exposure to vinyl chloride.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer confirmed the connection between long-term exposure to vinyl chloride and angiosarcoma. Most often, cases of angiosarcoma involved people who developed the disease after working for many years in settings with high levels of exposure to vinyl chloride monomer.
What Is Vinyl Chloride?
Vinyl chloride is a colorless gas with a sweet and mild odor. It burns very easily and is unstable at high temperatures. Vinyl chloride does not occur in the environment naturally. Instead, it is a manufactured substance produced by breaking down various other substances, gases, and chemicals. Vinyl chloride is used to make polyvinyl chloride, which is then used to manufacture a spectrum of plastic products and related materials.
What Are The Dangers of Vinyl Chloride Exposure?
People are exposed to vinyl chloride in factories and other work settings. When breathing vinyl chloride at high levels for even short periods of time, workers can experience ill effects including dizziness, sleepiness, and even unconsciousness. Exposure to extremely high levels can cause death.
Breathing vinyl chloride for long periods of time can result in:
- Permanent liver damage
- Immune reactions
- Nerve damage
- Liver cancer
Some people who have been exposed to vinyl chloride over the period of several years experienced structural changes to their liver. Others who work with vinyl chloride have experienced nerve damage and developed immune reactions. While high levels of exposure are known to cause certain symptoms and diseases, it is unknown if there is a safe level of exposure because individual susceptibility varies from one person to another.
Does Exposure to Vinyl Chloride Cause Cancer?
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has classified vinyl chloride as a known carcinogen. Studies of workers who breathed vinyl chloride over an extended period of time revealed increased risks of liver, brain, and lung cancer. Certain blood or bone marrow cancers have also been seen in observed populations.
Call (713) 787-3733 to Learn About Vinyl Chloride Lawsuits
If you or loved one have been exposed to vinyl chloride and diagnosed with angiosarcoma of the liver or another negative effect, contact Shrader & Associates, L.L.P. at (713) 787-3733. We have a team of experienced toxic exposure attorneys dedicated to helping victims of these terrible circumstances.
Our Client Pledge
At Shrader & Associates, L.L.P., we understand the demands on you at this time. Our process is designed to decrease the demands on you, no matter the injury or concern you’re facing. No matter where you are in the nation, we will come to you so you can be sure you have our full attention and dedication. And, you won’t pay a dime until we win your case.
Speak to Our Experienced Team
Focused on Quality Representation
Why Work with Shrader & Associates?
AWARD-WINNING
RESPECTED
RECOGNIZED
PROVEN
Client Relationships Matter to Us
Read Our Recent Testimonials
Your firm has made this stressful process easy and comfortable for me.
What your team did was nothing short of amazing!
Shrader & Associates was committed to helping us!
I could have never gotten through this without the team from Shrader & Associates.
Your dedication and hard work changes the lives of families.
Keeping Our Communities Informed About Vinyl-Chloride Exposure
With our experience and success in litigation involving vinyl-chloride exposure, our firm has become a resource for local and national news organizations reporting on the risks associated with vinyl-chloride. Over the course of fighting multiple vinyl-chloride exposure cases, we’ve learned just how often this risk is concealed from workers and consumers. Our goal is to ensure Americans know about the risks that may surround them every day, and we are honored to help the media share this vital information.