Notes

15 Things You've Never Known About Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Railroad Settlements and Asbestos

In 1862, Congress passed the Pacific Railroad Act which provided funding for two transcontinental railroad companies by giving large grants of land for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who contract cancer from exposure to their work environment may file lawsuits against their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

An Illinois jury awarded a $7.5 million verdict to a former Union Pacific trackman dying from acute myeloid leukemia. He blamed his blood-cancer on exposure to creosote compounds like benzene and others used to preserve railroad ties made of wood.


Creosote

Coal tar Creosote, a wood preserver, can be used to protect railroad tie from heat, sun and cold, rain and snow. Workers are exposed to harmful chemicals and solvents, like benzene, during the application of coal creosote. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen is a known carcinogen that can cause leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as well in other serious side effects such as convulsions, heartbeat changes, liver damage, anemia and cancers of the lungs and body.

Our attorneys have successfully prosecuted numerous lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad for exposure to coal-tar creosote. One of these cases culminated in an $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track department worker suffered from acute myeloid carcinoma due to exposure to harmful chemical compounds on working for over 31 years. The jury determined that the railroad did not provide any personal protective gear, and exposed him to a wide range of toxic chemicals such as coal-tar tar creosote, as well as coal distillates.

Another claim was the use of copper naphthalenate an alternative to coal tar creosote. Although it is less harmful to the environmental than creosote, can be extremely dangerous. Copper naphthenate can cause skin, lung and nerve damage to the skin and nerves. It can also contaminate the soil and groundwater with benzene.

Benzene

Benzene is a colorless, liquid petroleum hydrocarbon, is used to manufacture plastics, resins and synthetic fibers. It is also present in diesel fuel and exhaust. Most railroad workers are exposed to diesel fumes regularly on a basis. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen, and has been linked to leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

There is no safe exposure level to benzene. It can be absorbed through the skin and inhaled. Colon cancer lawsuit settlements -term exposure could damage the bloodstream and cause different health issues, including menstrual cycle irregularities, anemia and fertility issues. Benzene has also been linked to certain types of cancer including lung and breast cancer.

The benzene compound can be inhaled orally however it is most dangerous when inhaled. Inhaling benzene can lead to headaches, dizziness nose bleeds, dizziness and loss of consciousness. It can also disrupt the immune system, which may cause infections.

Recent reports have revealed the high levels of benzene at two Chicago train stations. Commuters railroad workers as well as city residents were exposed to extreme levels of pollution. Schools halted classes and cities asked residents to seek shelter. Railroad workers, including car department employees and locomotive mechanics, electricians and pipefitters, use benzene containing products like Safety-Kleen part washers CRC Brakleen as well as paints thinners, paints, and other products. Also, benzene is used in printing solvents.

Asbestos

In the beginning, asbestos was used in the railroad industry. Asbestos is made up of six silicate minerals that are naturally occurring with fibrous structure. They were previously used in construction because they had an anti-corrosion, fire retardant and insulate properties. Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause serious health problems like lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. Multiple myeloma settlements can take up to 30 years before symptoms begin to manifest.

Multiple myeloma settlements has stopped the mining and process of asbestos in this country however, it is utilized in a variety of products. This includes certain types of paper, flooring felt and fake fireplace embers. When these materials are exposed to heat or water they may release asbestos fibers. They could also be released into the air during demolition or remodeling.

A recent study has revealed that exposure to benzene even for five years significantly increases the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Contact your doctor if experience symptoms such as night sweats or an unprovoked weight loss. They may perform tests on your blood to identify AML.

The EPA resolved a recent case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. GWRSI uses locomotives that operate on diesel fuel and emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This EPA settlement mandates that GWRSI replace any of its locomotives with more modern models that comply with EPA emission standards.

Diesel Exhaust

As long diesel fuel continues to be used to power freight train, railroad workers are exposed to exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a mix of toxic chemicals that includes carcinogens like benzene and carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. It also includes particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel exhaust as Group 1 carcinogen. Furthermore, diesel exhaust is an underlying cause of respiratory disease in the form of bronchiopulmonary disorders such as chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. A 2006 article published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad worker's work and COPD rates.

Locomotive and rail cars belch diesel exhaust when they are running and idle in roundhouses, depots shops and yards. The engines and machinery that are idling emit gases in addition to the diesel fumes, including sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

The odor of diesel exhaust is often evident in the cabs of locomotives, where conductors and engineers are seated for up to six hours at an time. When workers enter or exit the cabins, the engines and equipment emit more exhaust fumes from diesel engines, creating a hazard for lung and cancer of the railway.

In roundhouses that are not well ventilated workshops, shops, and roundhouses railroad mechanics face the risk of being exposed to diesel exhaust. They work in enclosed areas with track equipment, locomotives and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.

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