Chemical Exposure Lawyer in West Virginia
A large number of West Virginians work in industries that expose their employees to toxic chemicals. Likewise, facilities using toxic chemicals often release these substances into the environment, including nearby lakes or streams. The resulting pollution can cause serious injury to residents residing near these areas. If you or a loved one has been exposed to toxic chemicals, our West Virginia injury lawyers at The Segal Law Firm can assist you in aggressively pursuing your claims against the negligent party. Our lawyers will fully explain your rights and options and advise you regarding the proper course to take to pursue your claim.
West Virginia Toxic Chemical Exposure
There are a variety of toxic chemicals manufactured or used in West Virginia that can produce severe illness or even death, including:
- Benzene
- Lead
- Mercury
- Vinyl chloride
- Toxic waste
- Industrial pollutants
- Environmental contaminants
- Carcinogens
- Pesticides
- Solvents
- Roundup®
- Paraquat
- Silica
Injuries from chemical exposure can severely affect you, causing you to be unable to work and affecting the quality of your life. Some of the diseases and symptoms associated with exposure to toxic chemicals include cancer, leukemia, nerve damage, paralysis, tremors and convulsions.
Roundup Exposure
What is Roundup?
Roundup is a weed killer manufactured by Monsanto Company and Bayer. Farmers, landscape workers, and homeowners often use
Roundup for weed control around crops, lawns, and gardens.
Roundup’s active ingredient is glyphosate, which has been registered in the U.S. as an herbicide since 1974. Glyphosate-based herbicides are widely available in the U.S.
However, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has stated that glyphosate is a probable carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) and can be linked to cancers such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). IARC is an agency of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Roundup manufacturers Monsanto Company and Bayer Corp. have maintained that glyphosate is safe. Monsanto and Bayer have several glyphosate-based herbicides. But the allegations have fueled federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) and state court proceedings involving thousands of plaintiffs who claim to have developed cancer caused by Roundup weed killer.
Paraquat Exposure
Paraquat dichloride is a toxic chemical used as an herbicide. Paraquat was first sold in the U.S. in 1964 and has been used for decades to control weeds and invasive grasses. Farmers and farmworkers use it on many crops, including corn, soybeans, cotton, and vineyard grapes. It is the key ingredient in many spray herbicides, including Gramoxone, Firestorm, Helmquat and Parazone.
Other companies with paraquat products include:
- ADAMA Group
- Altitude Crop Innovations
- Drexel Chemical Company
- HELM Agro
- Innvictis®
- Sinon® USA
- UPL
Paraquat is classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a restricted use product. It is not available to the general public. According to the EPA, “you must be a certified applicator and you must take the paraquat-specific training” to use the herbicide.
Health effects related to paraquat
Paraquat exposure can lead to serious health effects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many scientists have found the herbicide is linked to an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. It can also be dangerous if ingested or inhaled or if it contacts the skin.
Paraquat’s high toxicity can cause life-threatening side effects. Paraquat induces oxidative stress, which can lead to a host of health problems. Oxidative stress changes the structure and function of important parts of cells, leading to serious cell damage.
Silica Exposure
Crystalline silica is one of the earth’s most common minerals, but exposure to it in dust form can be deadly. Inhalation of these fine particles through foundry, refractory, construction, brick, tile or stone trades, to name a few, can put workers at risk for a number of chronic and sometimes fatal diseases, including:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
- Kidney disease
- Lung cancer
- Silicosis
It’s estimated that close to two million U.S. workers are currently at risk of developing a silica dust-related disease such as silicosis, a lung disease caused by overexposure to silica dust that is unfortunately irreversible, progressive and incurable.
Contact a West Virginia Attorney from Segal & Amos, PLLC to aggressively represent you in your chemical exposure claim.