In Feb-March 2025, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a division of the World Health Organization, published a groundbreaking study concluding that exposure to automotive gasoline can cause cancer in humans.
This key development confirms what Andrew DuPont and Locks Law Firm’s benzene exposure team have been arguing before juries for years: That prolonged exposure to the gasoline we use to fuel our cars, lawnmowers, and leaf blowers causes cancers including urinary bladder cancer and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). The IARC panel of 20 scientists from 16 countries came to their conclusion after reviewing research and studies that identified consistent heightened cancer risk among gas station attendants, gasoline distribution workers, automobile mechanics, and other workers with significant gasoline vapor exposure.
Just last year, Locks Law Firm won a historic $725 million verdict for a gasoline station attendant/mechanic whose prolonged exposure to gasoline caused him to develop AML. This danger has been hidden from the public for decades due to the powerful influence of big oil.
Key Findings from the IARC Report
The IARC has classified automotive gasoline as carcinogenic to humans, or Group 1, citing sufficient evidence linking it to AML and urinary bladder cancer in adults. A Group 1 carcinogen is the highest category of risk and includes other known products such as asbestos.
Implications for Public Health
The general public is mainly exposed to dangerous gasoline vapors if they live near a gas station or while fueling their cars. Exposure to harmful gasoline vapors can also come via air pollution, or from water and soil that has been contaminated by gasoline spills. In previous cases, Locks Law Firm has proven that oil companies have known of the cancer risks associated with gasoline exposure since the 1950s. Oil companies instead put their profits over public safety and hid the danger, conspiring together to prevent the regulation of benzene in gasoline so as not to lose money.
Legal Considerations
People who have been diagnosed with cancers believed to have been caused by gasoline exposure should contact the attorneys at Locks Law Firm. Understanding your rights and potential avenues for compensation is crucial. At Locks Law Firm, we have a dedicated team experienced in handling cases related to toxic exposures, including benzene and other carcinogens. Our attorneys have a proven track record of securing significant recoveries for clients affected by occupational exposure to hazardous substances. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a condition linked to these exposures, or you have questions, our experienced legal counsel can provide answers and advocate for you.
