Unfortunately, people are exposed to several hazardous chemicals and substances on the job. The most famous workplace exposure leading to the injury of thousands of workers in the United States alone is asbestos. However, there are many other substances workers are exposed to, indirectly and directly, at the workplace.

These include pesticides for farmers and pesticide applicators, benzene in gas stations and refineries, and various chemicals including perchlorethylene in drycleaning operations.

There are established connections between workplace exposures to these substances and the development of several types of cancer. Workplace exposures to benzene in gasoline stations, refineries, bulk storage stations, or chemical plants have been correlated with aml leukemia, all leukemia, non-hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and other cancers. Pesticide exposures have been linked to birth defects, infertility, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple types of cancer, including non-hodgkin’s lymphoma. Drycleaning solvents have been correlated with several types of cancer including leukemia, bladder cancer, and tongue cancer.