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Unexpected Business Strategies That Aided Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Succeed
Railroad Settlements and Asbestos

In 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. This law aids in the financing of two transcontinental railway companies through large grants 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 handed down an $7.5 million verdict to a former Union Pacific trackman dying from acute myeloid leukemia. He blamed his blood cancer on massive exposure to creosote and benzene. These chemicals were used to preserve and waterproof wooden railroad ties.

Creosote

Coal tar creosote can be described as a wood preserver used to protect railroad ties from sun, cold, heat, rain and snow. Workers are exposed solvents and chemicals, such as benzene, in the process of applying of coal creosote tar. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen that can cause leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma as well as other serious side effects like convulsions changes to your heartbeat, liver damage, anemia and bone marrow damages. cancer of the lungs and skin.

Our lawyers have been successful in prosecuting several lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad involving coal-tar creosote exposure. One of these cases resulted in the settlement of a $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track employee who developed acute myeloid leukemia due to exposure to the chemical compound that is toxic during his work for 31 years. The jury determined that the railroad did not provide him with personal protective equipment, and exposed him to a wide range of toxic chemicals that included coal-tar tar creosote and coal distillates.

Another theory was the use of copper naphthalenate as a replacement for creosote derived from coal. Copper naphthenate, although less harmful to the environment than creosote is extremely dangerous. lung cancer lawsuit settlements is a cancer-causing agent and can cause skin, nerve and lung damage to the lung, skin and nerves. It also pollutes soil and groundwater with benzene.

Benzene

Benzene is a colorless petroleum hydrocarbon that is used to make plastics, resins and synthetic fibers. It is also used in diesel fuel and exhaust. Virtually all railroad workers are exposed to diesel fumes on an ongoing basis. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen, has been linked with leukemia as well as the myelodysplastic disease (MDS).

There is no safe exposure to benzene. It can be taken in through the skin and inhaled. Long-term exposure to benzene can cause blood damage, leading to irregular menstrual flow, anemia and fertility issues. The chemical benzene has been linked to certain types of cancers such as lung and breast cancer.

The benzene compound can be inhaled orally however it is more dangerous when inhaled. Inhaling benzene may cause headaches, dizziness, or nosebleeds. The benzene fumes can also affect the immune system and trigger infections.

Recent reports have revealed the high levels of benzene near two Chicago train stations. Commuters and railroad workers were exposed to the high levels of pollution, that led to schools closing classes, and cities to instruct residents to shelter-in-place. Railroad workers, such as car department employees, locomotive machinists pipefitters and electricians regularly use benzene-containing products such as Safety-Kleen parts washers and CRC Brakleen as well as paints and thinners. Also, benzene is found in printing solvents.

Asbestos


The asbestos usage in the railroad industry was discovered in the middle of the century. Asbestos is made up of six silicate minerals that are naturally occurring with a fibrous structure. They were once used in construction because they had resistance to corrosion, fire-resisting and insulate characteristics. Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause serious health problems such as lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. The signs of these health conditions can take 15 to 30 years before they show up.

The EPA has stopped the mining and process of asbestos in the United States However, asbestos is used in many products. This includes certain kinds of floor felt, paper and fake fire embers. But, if these items are exposed to water or heat they can release toxic asbestos fibers. The fibers can also be released into the air when buildings are demolished or when homes are renovated.

A recent study has shown that exposure to benzene for just five years significantly increases the likelihood of developing acute myeloid tumor (AML). Talk to your doctor if you notice symptoms like night sweats, or a sudden weight loss. lung cancer lawsuit settlements can perform an examination of your blood to look for AML.

Mesothelioma settlements settled a recent case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. GWRSI operates locomotives which emit nitrogen oxides as well as fine particulates (PM2.5) when they run on diesel fuel. This EPA settlement requires that GWRSI replace any of its current locomotives with more modern models that meet EPA emissions standards.

Diesel Exhaust

As long as diesel fuel is used to power railroad workers, they will remain exposed to exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a cocktail of toxic chemicals that includes carcinogens such benzene monoxide and formaldehyde. It also contains oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and polyaromatic hydrocarbons.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel exhaust as a Group 1 carcinogen. Moreover, diesel exhaust is an underlying cause of respiratory disease in the form of bronchiopulmonary conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. A 2006 study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad workers' employment to COPD rates.

Mesothelioma settlements and rail cars belch diesel exhaust when they are running and idle in roundhouses, depots, shops and yards. Idling engines emit gases, such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides along with diesel fumes.

The odor of diesel exhaust is usually evident in the cabs of locomotives, where conductors and engineers are seated for up to six hours at the same time. The equipment and engine emit more diesel exhaust fumes when people enter or leave the cabins. This can cause lung and cancerous issues.

Additionally railroad mechanics are also exposed to diesel exhaust in roundhouses that are not ventilated and shops. They work with locomotives and track equipment in enclosed areas that often produce harmful inhalants, including asbestos-insulated steam pipes and boilers and silica sand.

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