Notes

The History Of Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Railroad Settlements and Asbestos

In 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. This act helped to fund two transcontinental railroad companies through large grants for rights-of way. Railroad workers who contract cancer because of exposure to work-related hazards can sue their employers under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA).

A jury in Illinois has awarded $7.5 million to a former Union Pacific Trackman who died from acute myeloid leukemia. The man blamed his blood cancer on a massive exposure to creosote and benzene. Both were used to protect and waterproof wooden railroad ties.

Creosote

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

Our lawyers have successfully defended various lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad involving coal-tar creosote exposure. One of these cases ended in a $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track employee, developed acute myeloid cancer because of exposure to chemicals that were toxic on working for over 31 years. The jury concluded that the railroad failed to provide any personal protective equipment, and regularly exposed him to a wide variety of harmful chemicals such as coal-tar creosote, coal tar distillates, naphtha, carbolineum and other cleaning solvents.

Another case involved the use of copper naphthenate as an alternative to creosote from coal tar. Although copper naphthenate may be less harmful to the environment than creosote it can nevertheless be extremely dangerous. Copper naphthenate is known to cause lung, skin and nerve damage to nerves, skin and the lung. It can also contaminate the groundwater and soil with benzene.

Benzene

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

There is no safe level of exposure to benzene. It can be inhaled or absorption through the surface the skin. Exposure to benzene for long periods of time can damage the blood, causing irregular menstrual flow, anemia and fertility issues. Benzene can also be linked to certain types of cancers like breast and lung cancer.

Benzene is a substance that can be consumed orally but it is the most dangerous when inhaled. Inhaling benzene could cause headaches, dizziness or nosebleeds. The benzene compound can also impair the immune system, which can lead to infections.

A recent report revealed the high levels of benzene found in the air around two Chicago train stations. Commuters railway workers, commuters and city residents were exposed to excessive levels of pollution. Schools closed classes and cities demanded residents to take shelter. Railroad workers, which includes car department employees, locomotive machinists pipefitters and electricians regularly employ benzene-containing goods like Safety-Kleen parts washers and Brakleen as well as thinners and paints. The chemical is also used in printing solvents.

Asbestos

As early as the 1800s asbestos was utilized in the railroad industry. Asbestos is composed of six silicate minerals that naturally occur with a fibrous structure. They were used in construction due to their an anti-corrosion, fire retardant and insulate characteristics. Inhaling Pulmonary fibrosis settlement could cause serious health problems like lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. Symptoms of these health conditions can take 15 to 30 years to appear.


The EPA has prohibited asbestos mining and processing in the United States However, asbestos is still found in a variety of products. This includes certain kinds of paper, floor felt, and fake fire embers. But, if these items are exposed to heat or water they could release harmful asbestos fibers. These fibers could also be released into the air during demolition or home remodeling.

A recent study has found that exposure to benzene for only five years significantly increases the risk of developing acute myeloid cancer (AML). If you're experiencing symptoms like night sweats that are not explained, loss of weight and suppression or loss of appetite, consult your physician immediately. They can do tests on your blood to identify AML.

The EPA recently settled a case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. (GWRSI). 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 GWRSI to replace any of its existing locomotives with new ones that meet EPA emission standards.

Diesel Exhaust

As long as diesel fuel continues be used to power freight trains, railroad workers are exposed to exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a dangerous cocktail of chemicals, including carcinogens such as benzene and carbon monoxide. 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. Diesel exhaust is also a cause of respiratory ailments like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchiectasis. A 2006 article published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad worker's employment with COPD rates.

When railcars and locomotives are in motion and idle, they emit diesel exhaust. When engines are running, they release gases like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxidants, in addition to diesel fumes.

Diesel exhaust fumes are frequently similar to those in locomotive cabs in which conductors and engineers are seated for at least six hours a day. When workers enter or exit the cabs, the engine and equipment produce more exhaust fumes from diesel engines and pose a risk to lung cancer and railway cancer.

Furthermore, railroad mechanics are heavily exposed to diesel exhausts in poorly ventilated roundhouses and shops. They work in enclosed spaces equipped with track equipment, locomotives and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.

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