ExxonMobil to Pay $725m in Benzene Cancer Case

A Philadelphia jury has ruled in favor of a plaintiff who sued ExxonMobil for exposure to benzene and other carcinogens while he was working for them, which he said caused him to develop leukemia. The jury awarded him $725 million, one of the largest such verdicts awarded to a single plaintiff. ExxonMobil says it will appeal the verdict, calling it “irrational” and saying that they are reviewing their options for appeal.

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EPA Introduces Stricter Regulation of Methylene Chloride

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced much stricter regulation of methylene chloride, a chemical commonly used as a solvent and paint stripper. The new regulation would prohibit its use for all consumer use, and heavily restrict its use in industrial and commercial settings. This is due to the serious health risks associated with the chemical, which the EPA has found “presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health under its conditions of use.”

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