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Seven Explanations On Why Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Is So Important
Railroad Settlements and Asbestos

In 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. The act allowed for the funding of two transcontinental railway companies by providing large grants for rights-of way. Railroad workers who contract cancer from exposure to their work environment may bring lawsuits against their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

An Illinois jury awarded a $7.5 million verdict to an ex- Union Pacific trackman dying from acute myeloid leukemia. The judge blamed the blood-cancer on exposure to creosote compounds like benzene and others used to protect wooden railroad ties.

Creosote

Coal tar creosote can be described as a wood preserver used to protect railroad ties from sun, cold, heat and snow. During the process of applying coal tar creosote workers are exposed to a range of toxic chemicals and solvents like benzene. Benzene, a known carcinogen causes leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as well with other serious consequences like convulsions, heartbeat changes, liver damage, anemia and cancers of the lung and body.

Our lawyers have successfully prosecuted numerous lawsuits against the Union Pacific Railroad involving coal-tar creosote exposure. One of these cases culminated in the amount of $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track department employee was diagnosed with acute myeloid cancer as a result exposure to toxic chemical compounds while on the job for 31 years. The jury found that the railroad did not provide any personal protective equipment and regularly exposed him wide variety of toxic chemicals, including coal-tar creosote, coal tar distillates, carbolineum and naphtha and other cleaning solvents.


Another claim was about the use of copper naphthenate as a substitute for creosote derived from coal. lung cancer settlement , while less harmful to the environment than creosote, can be extremely hazardous. Copper naphthenate can cause skin, lung and nerve damage to the skin and nerves. It also has the potential to contaminate 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 used in diesel fuel and exhaust. Diesel fumes are inhaled regularly by nearly all railroad workers. lung cancer settlement is a carcinogen that has been linked with leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

There is no limit of exposure to benzene. It can be absorbed through the skin and inhaled. Long-term exposure to benzene can damage the blood, causing irregular menstrual cycles, anemia, and fertility issues. The chemical is also linked to certain types of cancers, including breast and lung cancer.

The benzene compound can be inhaled orally however it is most dangerous when inhaled. Inhaling benzene can cause headaches, dizziness or nosebleeds. Benzene can also interfere with the immune system, which may result in infections.

A recent report revealed the higher levels of benzene that were found in the air around two Chicago train stations. Commuters, railroad workers and city residents were exposed to extreme levels of pollution. Schools shut down classes and cities asked residents to stay in their homes. Railroad workers, like car department employees, locomotive mechanics, electricians, 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

The asbestos usage in the railway industry began in the middle of the century. Asbestos is comprised of six silicate minerals naturally occurring with fibrous structure. They were once used in construction because they had the ability to withstand corrosion, fire retardant, and insulate qualities. Inhaling these fibers can cause serious health problems like lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. The symptoms of these illnesses may take between 15 and 30 years to manifest.

The EPA has prohibited asbestos mining and processing in the United States, but it still appears in many products. This includes certain kinds of paper, floor felt, and fake fire embers. However, when these products are exposed to heat or water they could release toxic asbestos fibers. These fibers could also be released into the air during demolition or home renovations.

A recent study showed that even five years of exposure to benzene significantly increases the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Consult your doctor if you have symptoms such as night sweats, or a sudden weight loss. They may perform tests on your blood to test for AML.

The EPA recently settled a case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. (GWRSI). GWRSI operates locomotives that emit nitrogen oxides and fine particulates (PM2.5) when they run on diesel fuel. This EPA settlement requires GWRSI to replace any of its existing 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 to exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a mix of toxic chemicals that includes carcinogens like benzene, carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. It also contains nitrogen oxides particulate matter, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel exhaust as Group 1 carcinogen. Diesel exhaust may also cause respiratory illnesses like chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) or bronchiectasis. A 2006 article published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad worker's work and COPD rates.

When railcars and locomotives are in motion and idle, they emit diesel exhaust. The machinery and engines that idle emit gasses in addition to the diesel fumes. These include sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

The smell of diesel exhaust is often visible in the cabs of locomotives where engineers and conductors sit for up to six hours at one time. When people enter or leave the cabs, the engine and equipment produce more diesel exhaust fumes which can lead to railway cancer and pulmonary problems.

In lung cancer settlement that are not well ventilated as well as workshops and shops, railroad mechanics face the risk of being exposed to diesel exhaust. They are exposed to running locomotives and track equipment in closed spaces that frequently produce harmful inhalants, such as asbestos-insulated steam boilers and steam pipes and silica sand.

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