15 Things You're Not Sure Of About Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Railroad Settlements and Asbestos

In 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act.  Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements  in the financing of two transcontinental railway companies through large grants for rights-of way. Railroad workers who contract cancer because of exposure to their workplaces are able to sue their employers under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA).

An Illinois jury handed down an $7.5 million verdict to a former Union Pacific trackman dying from acute myeloid leukemia. He blamed his blood-cancers on exposure to creosote the chemical benzene, and other chemicals used to preserve wooden railroad ties.

Creosote

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

Our lawyers have successfully defended numerous lawsuits against the Union Pacific Railroad involving coal-tar creosote exposure. One of these cases landed an award of $7,500,000. The plaintiff was a track employee who developed acute myeloid leukemia as a result of exposure to the toxic chemical compound on his job over 31 years. The jury found that the railroad did not provide him with personal protective equipment, and exposed him of toxic chemicals such as coal-tar tar creosote and coal distillates.

Another claim involved the use of copper naphthenate as substitute for creosote from coal tar. Although copper naphthenate is less environmentally harmful than creosote it can nevertheless be extremely dangerous. Copper naphthenate is a carcinogen and can cause nerve, skin and lung damage to the lung, skin and nerves. It also contaminates soil and groundwater with benzene.

Benzene

Benzene, a colorless liquid petroleum hydrocarbon used in the production of plastics, resins and synthetic fibers. It can also be found in diesel fuels and exhaust. Virtually all railroad workers are exposed to diesel fumes regularly on a basis. Benzene is a known carcinogen has been linked to leukemia as well as the myelodysplastic disease (MDS).

There is no limit to the amount of exposure to benzene. It is taken in through the skin and inhaled. Exposure for long periods can harm the bloodstream and cause various health issues, including anemia, irregular menstrual cycles and fertility issues. Benzene is also associated with certain types of cancers such as breast and lung cancer.

Benzene can be ingested orally, but it is most hazardous when inhaled. Inhaling benzene could cause headaches, dizziness or nosebleeds. It can also affect your immune system and trigger infections.

Recent reports have revealed the elevated levels benzene near two Chicago train station. Commuters and railroad workers were exposed to the pollutant levels, that led to schools closing classes, and cities to instruct residents to take shelter. Railroad workers, for instance car department employees as well as locomotive mechanics, electricians, and pipefitters use products that contain benzene such as Safety-Kleen part washers and CRC Brakleen and paints thinners, paints and other products. It is also used as printing solvents.

Asbestos

The asbestos use in the railroad industry started in the early days. Asbestos is one of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that were highly sought-after in construction due to their fire-retardant resistant, fire-retardant, corrosion resistant and insulate properties. Inhaling these fibers can cause serious health issues like lung cancer and asbestosis. The symptoms of these illnesses can take anywhere from 15 to 30 years to manifest.

The EPA has been able to ban asbestos mining and processing in the US However, asbestos is still found in a variety of products. This includes some types of flooring felt, paper, and fake fireplace embers. However, when these products are exposed to heat or water they can release toxic asbestos fibers. These fibers could also be released into the air during demolition or remodeling.

A recent study revealed that just five years of exposure to benzene significantly increases the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Contact your doctor if notice symptoms like sleepiness, night sweats, or unprovoked weight loss. They may perform tests on your blood to test for AML.

The EPA recently resolved a case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. (GWRSI). GWRSI operates locomotives that emit nitrogen oxides and fine particulates (PM2.5) when they are running on diesel fuel. This EPA settlement requires that GWRSI replace any of its locomotives with more modern models that conform to EPA emissions standards.

Diesel Exhaust

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

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel exhaust as a group 1 carcinogen. Furthermore, diesel exhaust is a source of respiratory illness in the form of bronchiopulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. A 2006 article published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad worker employment and COPD rates.

When railroad cars and locomotives are running and idle, they emit diesel exhaust. The idling engines and machinery emit gasses in addition to the diesel fumes, including sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

The odor of diesel exhaust is typically visible in the cabs of locomotives where conductors and engineers sit for up to six hours at the same time. When workers enter or exit the cabins, the engines and equipment release more exhaust fumes from diesel engines and pose a risk to respiratory cancers and other issues.

In roundhouses with poor ventilation, shops and workshops railroad mechanics have to contend with a high level of exposure to diesel exhaust. They work with moving locomotives and track equipment in enclosed spaces that are often contaminated with inhalants, such as asbestos-insulated steam boilers and steam pipes and silica sand.