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The Story Behind Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Is One That Will Haunt You Forever!
Railroad Settlements and Asbestos

In 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. This law helped fund two transcontinental railway companies by providing large grants for rights of way. Railroad workers who develop cancers due to exposure in the workplace may bring lawsuits against their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

An Illinois jury handed down a $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 at work and benzene. Both were used to protect and waterproof wooden railroad ties.

Creosote

Coal tar creosote is a wood preservative that is used to shield railroad ties from sun, cold, heat rain, and snow. In the process of applying coal tar creosote, workers are exposed to a range of toxic chemicals and solvents including benzene. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen causes leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, as being associated with other serious issues like heartbeat fluctuations, convulsions, liver damage, anemia and cancers of the lungs and body.

Our lawyers have successfully defended multiple lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad for exposure to coal-tar creosote. One of these cases ended in the amount of $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track employee, developed acute myeloid cancer due to exposure chemicals that were toxic on the job for 31 years. The jury concluded that the railroad failed to provide any personal protection equipment and frequently exposed him diverse range of toxic chemicals, including coal-tar creosote and coal tar distillates, carbolineum and naphtha and other cleaning solvents.

Another reason for this was the use of copper naphthalenate an alternative to coal tar creosote. Copper naphthenate, while less harmful to the environmental than creosote can still be extremely dangerous. Copper naphthenate has been identified as a carcinogen and can cause nerve, skin and lung damage. It is also a source of contamination for the groundwater and soil with benzene.

Benzene

A colorless liquid petroleum hydrocarbon, benzene is used in manufacturing of plastics, resins, nylon and synthetic fibers. It is also used in diesel fuel and exhaust. Diesel fumes are commonly inhaled by nearly all railroad workers. Benzene is a known carcinogen that has been linked to leukemia as well as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

There is no safe level of exposure to benzene. It can be taken in through the skin and inhaled. Exposure for long periods can harm the blood supply and trigger different health issues, including menstrual cycle irregularities, anemia and fertility issues. It is also associated with certain types of cancers like breast and lung cancer.

Inhaling benzene can be the most dangerous. Inhaling railroad asbestos settlement can lead to headaches, dizziness nose bleedings, and loss of consciousness. Benzene may also affect the immune system and cause infections.

A recent report has highlighted the elevated levels of benzene in the air around two Chicago train stations. Commuters and railroad employees were exposed to these high levels of pollution which led to schools having to stop classes and cities to require residents to stay in shelters. Railroad workers, including car department employees and electricians, locomotive mechanics, and pipefitters use products containing benzene, such as Safety-Kleen part washers and CRC Brakleen as well as paints, thinners and other products. Benzene is also used in printing solvents.

Asbestos


At first, asbestos was used in the railroad industry. Asbestos comprises six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that were widely used in construction due to their fire-retardant corrosion-resistant, fire-retardant, and insulate properties. Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause serious health problems such as lung cancer mesothelioma and asbestosis. Symptoms of these health conditions can take 15 to 30 years to appear.

The EPA has prohibited the mining and processing of asbestos in the United States However, asbestos is used in many of the products. This includes certain types of floor felt, paper, and fake fire embers. When these materials are exposed to water or heat, they can release asbestos fibers. These fibers can also enter the air when buildings are being demolished or when homes are being renovated.

A recent study has found that just five years of exposure to benzene can significantly increase a person's risk for developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Talk to your doctor if you notice symptoms like night sweats or unexplained weight loss. They may perform the test of blood to check for AML.

The EPA resolved 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 operate on diesel fuel. This EPA settlement mandates that GWRSI replace any of its locomotives with more modern models that meet EPA emissions standards.

Diesel Exhaust

As long diesel fuel continues to be used to power freight trains railroad workers are exposed exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a mixture of toxic chemicals which include carcinogens such benzene monoxide, and formaldehyde. It also contains nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and polyaromatic hydrocarbons.

In reality, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel exhaust as a Group 1 carcinogen. Additionally, diesel exhaust is an important cause of respiratory illness in the form of bronchiopulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. A 2006 article published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad worker employment and COPD rates.

Rail and locomotives emit diesel exhaust when they are running and idle in roundhouses and depots as well as yards and shops. The engines and machinery that are idling emit gases in addition to diesel fumes. These include nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.

Diesel exhaust fumes can be unnoticeable in locomotive cabins where conductors and engineers work up to six hours each day. When workers enter or exit the cabs, the engine as well as equipment produce more exhaust fumes from diesel engines that pose a risk for respiratory cancers and other issues.

In roundhouses with poor ventilation or workshops railroad mechanics are exposed to high levels of exposure to diesel exhaust. They are exposed to running locomotives and track equipment in enclosed spaces that are often contaminated with inhalants like asbestos-insulated steam pipes and boilers and silica sand.

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