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A Glimpse Inside Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia's Secrets Of Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Railroad Settlements and Asbestos

In 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. The act aids in the financing of two transcontinental railway companies by providing large grants for rights of way. Railroad workers who develop cancers because of exposure to work-related hazards could file lawsuits against their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

A jury in Illinois gave $7.5 million to a former Union Pacific Trackman who died of acute myeloid Leukemia. He blamed his blood cancer on massive workplace exposures to creosote and benzene, which were used to protect and waterproof railroad ties made of wood.

Creosote

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

Our lawyers have been successful in prosecuting numerous lawsuits against the 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 department worker suffered from acute myeloid carcinoma due to exposure toxic chemical compounds on the job for over 31 years. The jury found that railroad did not provide any personal protective gear, and exposed him to a wide range of toxic chemicals such as coal-tar tar creosote and coal distillates.

Another case involved the use of copper naphthenate substitute for creosote made of coal tar. While copper naphthenate isn't as harmful to the environment than creosote, it could nevertheless be extremely hazardous. Copper naphthenate has been identified as a carcinogen and can cause skin, nerve and lung damage. It also has the potential to contaminate groundwater and soil with benzene.

Benzene

Benzene is a colorless liquid petroleum hydrocarbon, is used to manufacture resins, plastics, and synthetic fibers. It is also found in diesel fuel and exhaust. Diesel fumes are regularly inhaled by virtually all railroad workers. Benzene is a known carcinogen has been linked to leukemia and the myelodysplastic disorder (MDS).

There is no safe level of exposure to benzene. It can be taken in through the skin and inhaled. Long-term exposure could damage the blood and cause various health issues, including menstrual irregularities, anemia and fertility problems. Benzene can also be linked to certain types of cancers like breast and lung cancer.

Benzene can be ingested orally, but it is most dangerous when inhaled. Inhaling benzene may cause headaches, dizziness nose bleedings, and loss of consciousness. The benzene fumes can also affect the immune system and trigger infections.

million settlement of benzene that were found in the air near two Chicago train stations. Commuters railroad workers as well as city residents were exposed to the high levels of pollution. Schools were closed for classes and cities demanded residents to take shelter. Railroad workers, such as car department employees, locomotive machinists pipefitters and electricians, often make use of benzene-containing items such as Safety-Kleen parts washers and CRC Brakleen as well as thinners and paints. Also, benzene is used in printing solvents.

Asbestos

The asbestos usage in the railroad industry began in the early years. Asbestos is one of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals which were once extremely popular in construction due to their fire-retardant resistant, fire-retardant, corrosion resistant and insulate properties. Inhaling these tiny fibers could cause serious health problems like lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. The symptoms of these diseases can take 15 to 30 years to manifest.

The EPA has been able to ban asbestos mining and processing in the United States however, it can be found in a wide range of products. This includes some types of flooring felt, paper, and fake fireplace embers. But, if these items are exposed to water or heat, they may 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 revealed that exposure to benzene for just five years significantly increases the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Contact your doctor if are experiencing symptoms such as night sweats or an unprovoked weight loss. They can perform a blood test to detect AML.

The EPA reached a settlement in a recent case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. GWRSI operates locomotives that emit nitrogen oxides and fine particulates (PM2.5) when they are running on diesel fuel. This EPA settlement requires GWRSI to replace any of its current locomotives with new ones that meet EPA emission standards.

Diesel Exhaust

As long diesel fuel continues to be used to power freight trains, railroad workers are exposed exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a harmful cocktail of chemicals, including carcinogens like benzene as well as carbon monoxide. It also contains particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons as well as nitrogen oxides.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel exhaust as a group 1 carcinogen. Diesel exhaust can also trigger respiratory illnesses like chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) or bronchiectasis. An article published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2006 related railroad worker employment to COPD rates.

When railroad cars and locomotives are in motion and idle, they emit diesel exhaust. million settlement and engines that idle emit gases in addition to diesel fumes, which include nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.

Diesel exhaust fumes are often unnoticeable in locomotive cabins in which conductors and engineers are seated for at least six hours a day. The engine and equipment emit more diesel exhaust fumes when workers enter or leave the cabins. million settlement can cause lung and cancerous conditions.


Moreover railroad mechanics are exposed to diesel exhaust in roundhouses that are not ventilated and shops. They work in enclosed areas with locomotives, track equipment and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.

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