06 | 25 | 2007 Posted By Alan J. Berteau print this article

Research on Benzene Exposure From Product Use Published

by Erich P. Rapp

A journal article on the potential for exposure to benzene associated with the use of certain products containing benzene was just published. This article was written by Pamela Williams and others. This researcher was mentioned in an earlier blog entry that I posted concerning trace benzene. This study is not a trace benzene study, but it will interest anyone dealing with benzene exposure claims resulting from the use of certain types of historic products. 

The article is entitled , Airborne Concentrations of Benzene Associated with the Historical Use of Some Formulations of Liquid Wrench. The article was published in the Journal of Environmental and Occupational Hygiene, June 2007, 4:547-561.

Posted In Benzene Litigation
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06 | 14 | 2007 Posted By Alan J. Berteau print this article

Benzene Exposure Litigation Update

by Erich P. Rapp

On Thursday May 31, 2007, U.S. District Judge Kathryn H. Vratil of the Kansas District Court denied the motions to dismiss of PepsiCo Inc. and privately held Sunny Delight Beverages Co. and Rockstar Inc. in litigation related to possible benzene exposure from drinking certain of the defendants' soft drinks.

The plaintiffs claim that when certain soft drinks containing vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, and either sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate are exposed to light and heat that a reaction can form benzene in the beverages. In some cases, the plaintiffs contend that the result can be benzene levels four times higher than the federal drinking water standard.

The risks associated with trace benzene claims continues.

http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070530/BUSINESS01/705300327/1066/BUSINESS01  

Posted In Benzene Litigation
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06 | 11 | 2007 Posted By Alan J. Berteau print this article

Growing Trend of Benzene Exposure Claims

by Erich P. Rapp

Any industry manufacturing or even using products with even trace levels of benzene should be aware of the growing trend among trial attorneys to bring benzene exposure claims. It may be nearing the time for companies to undertake aggressive efforts to reduce or eliminate potential exposure to these types of claims 
Several recent blogosphere entries suggest that three women from Florida, New Jersey, and Kansas have sued The Sunny Delight Beverages Company, Pepsico, Shasta (National Beverage Company), and the Rockstar Energy Drink Co. claiming that some of their soft drink products contain ingredients that can combine to form benzene when exposed to heat and light. The suits were said to have been filed in the summer of 2006. The women are said to be represented by Boston attorney Andrew Rainer.
Numerous recent web accounts suggest that Coca Cola settled benzene related claims in May 2007.
Is this type of claim the tip of a large legal iceberg or a passing nuisance? 
http://www.topix.net/business/beverages/2007/05/sunny-delight-pepsico-target-of-benzene-lawsuit
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-05/28/content_6164949.htm
http://www.rssmicro.com/?f=0&st=PepsiCo&fid=54198966

Posted In Benzene Litigation , Products Liability , Toxic Tort Litigation
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