Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia's History History Of Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Railroad Settlements and Asbestos

In 1862, Congress passed the Pacific Railroad Act which financed two transcontinental railroad companies by granting large grants of lands for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who develop cancer as a result of workplace exposures can sue their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

railroad back injury settlements  awarded a $7.5 million verdict to a former Union Pacific trackman dying from acute myeloid leukemia. The man blamed his blood cancer on extensive exposure to creosote and benzene. Both were used to preserve and waterproof wooden railroad ties.

Creosote

Coal tar is an organic wood preservative used to protect railroad ties from sun, cold, heat, rain and snow. When applying coal tar creosote, workers are exposed to a wide variety of toxic chemicals and solvents, including benzene. Benzene, a known carcinogen is a known carcinogen that can cause leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as in other serious side effects such as heartbeat and convulsions, liver damage, anemia, and cancers of the lungs and body.

Our lawyers have been successful in prosecuting numerous lawsuits against the Union Pacific Railroad involving coal-tar creosote exposure. One of these cases ended with the settlement of a $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track staffer who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia due to exposure to the chemical compound that is toxic during his employment for over 31 years.  Multiple myeloma settlements  concluded that the railroad failed to provide any personal protection equipment and regularly exposed him large number of harmful chemicals such as coal-tar creosote, coal tar distillates, carbolineum, naphtha and other cleaning solvents.

Another claim was about the use of copper naphthenate an alternative to creosote made of coal tar. Although copper naphthenate may be less environmentally harmful than creosote is, it can nevertheless be extremely dangerous.  railroad injury settlement amounts  may cause skin, lung and nerve damage. It can also contaminate the groundwater and soil with benzene.

Benzene

A colorless liquid petroleum hydrocarbon, benzene is used in manufacturing of resins, plastics, nylon and synthetic fibers. It is also used in diesel fuels and exhaust. The majority of railroad workers are exposed to diesel fumes on a daily basis. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen, and has been linked to leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

There is no safe exposure to benzene. It can be absorbed through the skin and inhaled. Exposure to benzene for long periods of time can harm blood vessels, causing irregular menstrual flow, anemia and fertility issues. It has also been linked to certain types of cancer including lung and breast cancer.

Inhaling benzene is among the most dangerous. Inhaling benzene may cause dizziness, headaches, nose bleeds and loss of consciousness. Benzene may also affect the immune system and trigger infections.

A recent report revealed the increased levels of benzene in the air near two Chicago train stations. Commuters and railroad workers were exposed to the pollutant levels, that led to schools closing classes and cities to request residents to shelter-in-place. Railroad workers, including car department employees, locomotive machinists pipefitters and electricians regularly employ benzene-containing goods like Safety-Kleen parts washers, CRC Brakleen as well as thinners and paints. It is also used as printing solvents.

Asbestos

The use of asbestos in the railroad industry began early. Asbestos comprises six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that were once highly sought-after in construction due to their fire retardant as well as their corrosion-resistant, fire-retardant and insulate properties. Inhaling these fibers can cause serious health problems such as lung cancer mesothelioma and asbestosis. The signs of these health conditions can take 15 to 30 years to show.

The EPA has been able to ban the mining and processing of asbestos in the United States however, it is utilized in a variety of products. This includes certain types of flooring felt, paper, and fake fireplace embers. When these materials are exposed to water or heat they may release asbestos fibers. These fibers can also be released into the air during demolition or remodeling.

A recent study has found that exposure to benzene just for five years significantly increases the risk of developing acute myeloid cancer (AML). Contact your doctor if are experiencing symptoms such as night sweats or unexplained weight loss. They can conduct a blood test to look for AML.

The EPA recently settled a case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. (GWRSI). GWRSI employs locomotives that run on diesel fuel and emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This EPA settlement requires that GWRSI replace any of its current locomotives with newer models that meet EPA emission standards.

Diesel Exhaust

As long as diesel fuel is used to power freight trains, railroad workers will continue to be exposed exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a dangerous mixture of chemicals, which includes carcinogens such benzene and carbon monoxide. It also includes particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides.

In reality, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel exhaust as a class 1 carcinogen. Furthermore, diesel exhaust is a source of respiratory illness in the form of bronchiopulmonary disorders such as chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. A 2006 article published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad worker's employment with COPD rates.

Rail and locomotives emit diesel exhaust when they run and idle in roundhouses, depots, yards and shops. The machines and engines that are idle emit gases in addition diesel fumes, which include sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

The smell of diesel exhaust is frequently present in locomotive cabs, where conductors and engineers are seated for up to six hours at an time. When workers enter or exit the cabins, the engine and equipment emit more exhaust fumes from diesel engines that pose a risk for railway cancer and pulmonary problems.

In roundhouses with poor ventilation or workshops railroad mechanics face an extreme risk of exposure to diesel exhaust. They work in enclosed areas with track equipment, locomotives and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.