15 Things You've Never Known About Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Railroad Settlements and Asbestos

In 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. This law helped to fund two transcontinental railroad companies by granting large grants for rights of way. Railroad workers who develop cancers because of exposure to work-related hazards could make claims against their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

A jury in Illinois gave $7.5 million to an ex- Union Pacific Trackman who died from acute myeloid leukemia. The man blamed his blood cancer on massive exposure to creosote at work and benzene. These chemicals were used to protect and waterproof wooden railroad ties.

Creosote

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

Our attorneys have successfully prosecuted several lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad involving coal-tar creosote exposure. One of these cases landed an award of $750,000. The plaintiff was a track employee who developed acute myeloidleukemia as a result of exposure to the toxic chemical compound during his employment for over 31 years. The jury found that the railroad did not provide him with personal protective gear and exposed him to a range of toxic chemicals that included coal-tar tar creosote and coal tar distillates.

Another theory was the use of copper naphthalenate an alternative to creosote derived from coal. Copper naphthenate is less harmful to the environment than creosote, can be very dangerous. Copper naphthenate has been identified as a carcinogen and can cause skin, nerve and lung damage. It also contaminates groundwater and soil with benzene.

Benzene

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

There is  Pancreatic cancer settlement  of exposure to benzene. It can be breathed in or absorbs through the surface of the skin. Long-term exposure to it can damage the blood and cause many different health issues, including anemia, irregular menstrual cycles and fertility issues. Benzene is also associated with certain types of cancers, like breast and lung cancer.

Benzene is a substance that can be consumed orally however it is more dangerous when breathed. Inhaling benzene can lead to dizziness, headaches nose bleedings, and loss of consciousness. Benzene may also affect the immune system and trigger infections.

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

Asbestos

The asbestos usage in the railroad industry was discovered in the middle of the century. Asbestos is comprised of six silicate minerals that naturally occur with fibrous structure. They were previously used in construction due to their an anti-corrosion, fire retardant and insulate characteristics. Inhaling these fibers could cause serious health problems like lung cancer and asbestosis. The symptoms of these illnesses can take 15 to 30 years to manifest.

The EPA has banned asbestos mining and processing in the US, but it still appears in a wide range of products. This includes certain kinds of floor felt, paper and fake fire embers. However, when these materials are exposed to heat or water they could release toxic asbestos fibers. These fibers may also get into the air during demolition of buildings or when homes are remodeled.

A recent study has revealed that exposure to benzene for only five years significantly increases the risk of developing acute myeloid tumor (AML). If you're experiencing symptoms like night sweats, unprovoked weight loss and suppression or lack of appetite, visit your doctor right away. They can perform tests on your blood to identify AML.

The EPA recently settled a case with Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. (GWRSI). GWRSI operates locomotives which emit nitrogen oxides as well as fine particulates (PM2.5) when they operate 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 is used to power freight trains, railroad workers will continue to be exposed exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a poisonous mix of chemicals, including carcinogens like benzene and carbon monoxide. It also includes particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel exhaust as Group 1 carcinogen. Furthermore, diesel exhaust is an important cause of respiratory illness in the form of bronchiopulmonary conditions such as chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. A 2006 study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad workers' employment to COPD rates.

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

Diesel exhaust fumes are usually not distinguishable in locomotive cabs, where engineers and conductors spend up to six hours a day. When employees enter or exit the cabins, the engine and equipment emit more exhaust fumes from diesel engines that pose a risk for lung cancer and railway cancer.

Moreover, railroad mechanics are heavily exposed to diesel exhausts in poorly ventilated roundhouses and shops. They are exposed to running locomotives and track equipment in enclosed areas that often produce harmful inhalants, like asbestos-insulated steam boilers and steam pipes and silica sand.