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A Glimpse In The Secrets Of Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Railroad Settlements and Asbestos

In 1862, Congress passed the Pacific Railroad Act which financed two transcontinental railroad companies by giving large grants of land for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who develop cancers due to exposure in the workplace may sue 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 the cause of his blood cancer to massive workplace exposures to creosote and benzene. Both were used to protect and waterproof wooden railroad ties.

railroad back injury settlements is a wood preservative used to shield railroad ties from sun, cold, heat, rain and snow. Workers are exposed to toxic chemicals and solvents, like benzene in the application of coal creosote that is tar. Benzene is a known carcinogen and is known to cause leukemia, myelodysplastic disorder and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as well with other serious side consequences like convulsions changes to your heartbeat, liver damage anemia and bone marrow damages. cancer of the lungs and skin.

Our lawyers have successfully prosecuted several lawsuits against the Union Pacific Railroad involving coal-tar creosote exposure. One of these cases resulted in an award of $750,000. The plaintiff was a track department worker who was diagnosed with acute myeloid tumors due to exposure to harmful chemical compounds on working for over 31 years. The jury concluded that the railroad did not provide any personal protective gear and exposed him to a wide range of toxic chemicals, including coal-tar tar creosote as well as coal tar distillates.

Another argument was the use of copper naphthalenate an alternative to coal tar creosote. Copper naphthenate, although less harmful to the environment than creosote, is extremely hazardous. Copper naphthenate can cause cancer and can cause nerve, skin and lung damage. It also pollutes groundwater and soil with benzene.

Benzene

A colorless liquid petroleum hydrocarbon, benzene is used in manufacture of plastics, resins nylon and synthetic fibers. It is also used in diesel fuels and exhaust. Diesel fumes are regularly inhaled by almost all railroad workers. Benzene is a known carcinogen is linked to leukemia and myelodysplastic disorder (MDS).

There is no safe exposure to benzene. It can be taken in through the skin and inhaled. Long-term exposure to benzene may damage the blood, causing irregular periods, anemia and fertility issues. Benzene is also associated with certain types of cancers such as breast and lung cancer.

Inhaling benzene can be the most dangerous. Inhaling benzene may cause headaches, dizziness, or nosebleeds. The benzene compound can also impair the immune system, which can result in infections.

A recent report highlighted high levels of benzene found in the air near two Chicago train stations. Commuters and railroad workers were exposed high levels of pollution, which led to schools having to stop classes and cities to request residents to stay in shelters. Railroad workers, such as car department employees and electricians, locomotive mechanics and pipefitters utilize products containing benzene, such as Safety-Kleen part washers CRC Brakleen and paints, thinners and other items. Also, benzene is found in printing solvents.

Asbestos

The use of asbestos in the railroad industry was discovered in the early days. Asbestos is a class of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals which were once widely used in construction due to their fire-retardant as well as their corrosion-resistant, fire-retardant and insulate properties. Inhaling these fibers can cause serious health problems such as lung cancer or asbestosis. The symptoms of these illnesses can take 15 to 30 years to appear.

The EPA has stopped asbestos mining and processing in the US However, asbestos is still found in a wide range of products. This includes certain kinds of flooring felt, paper and fake fire embers. However, when these products are exposed to heat or water they could release toxic asbestos fibers. They could also be released into the air during demolition or home renovations.

A recent study showed that just five years of exposure to benzene can significantly increase the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). If you're experiencing symptoms like night sweats that are not explained, weight loss, or a decrease in appetite or a lack of appetite, seek out your doctor immediately. They may perform tests on your blood to test 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 are running on diesel fuel. This EPA settlement requires that GWRSI replace any of its current locomotives with newer models that comply with EPA emissions standards.

Diesel Exhaust

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


In reality, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel exhaust as a group 1 carcinogen. Moreover, diesel exhaust is an underlying cause of respiratory disease in the form of bronchiopulmonary illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2006 connected the work of railroad workers to COPD rates.

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

The smell of diesel exhaust is usually present in locomotive cabs, where engineers and conductors sit for up to six hours at one time. The equipment and engine emit more diesel exhaust fumes when people enter or leave the cabs. This can cause lung and cancerous issues.

Moreover railroad mechanics are also exposed to diesel exhaust in poorly ventilated roundhouses and shops. They work in enclosed areas with locomotives, track equipment and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.

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