Railroad Settlements and Asbestos In 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. The act allowed for the funding of two transcontinental railway companies by granting large grants for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who contract cancer due to workplace exposures may make claims against their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). A jury in Illinois awarded $7.5 million to an ex- Union Pacific Trackman who died of acute myeloid lymphoma. He blamed his blood-cancers on exposure to creosote compounds like benzene and others used to preserve wooden railroad ties. Creosote Coal tar - an organic wood preserver, is used to shield railroad ties from the sun, heat and cold, rain, and snow. railroad injury settlement amounts are exposed solvents and chemicals, including benzene in the application of coal creosote tar. Benzene is a known carcinogen and can cause leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as well as other serious side effects like convulsions, changes to your heartbeat, liver damage anemia as well as bone marrow damage. cancer of the lungs and skin. Our lawyers have been successful in prosecuting several lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad involving coal-tar creosote exposure. One of these cases culminated with an $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track department employee was diagnosed with acute myeloid cancer due to exposure to toxic chemical compounds while on working for over 31 years. The jury found that railroad did not provide any personal protective gear and exposed him to a range of toxic chemicals, including coal-tar tar creosote and coal distillates. Another theory was the use of copper naphthalenate an alternative to creosote made from coal. While copper naphthenate isn't as damaging to the environment than creosote, it can still be extremely harmful. Copper naphthenate is a carcinogen and can cause skin, nerve and lung damage to the lung, skin and nerves. It also has the potential to contaminate soil and groundwater with benzene. Benzene Benzene is a colorless, liquid petroleum hydrocarbon that is used to create plastics, resins and synthetic fibers. It is also found in diesel fuel and exhaust. Nearly Colon cancer lawsuit settlements are exposed to diesel fumes on an ongoing basis. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen, and has been linked to leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). There is no limit to the amount of exposure to benzene. It can be breathed in or taken in through the surface of the skin. Long-term exposure can damage the blood and cause different health issues, including menstrual irregularities, anemia and fertility issues. Benzene has also been linked to certain types of cancer such as lung and breast cancer. It is possible to inhale benzene orally, but it is most dangerous when breathed. Inhaling benzene can cause headaches, dizziness, nose bleeds and loss of consciousness. It can also affect your immune system and trigger infections. A recent report highlighted the increased levels of benzene in the air around two Chicago train stations. Commuters and railroad workers were exposed to the high levels of pollution, which led to schools having to stop classes and cities to ask residents to stay in shelters. Railroad workers, which includes car department employees, locomotive machinists pipefitters and electricians regularly employ benzene-containing goods like Safety-Kleen parts washers and CRC Brakleen as well as thinners and paints. Benzene is also used in printing solvents. Asbestos At first asbestos was utilized in the railroad industry. Asbestos is comprised of six silicate minerals that naturally occur with a fibrous structure. They were previously used in construction because they had the ability to withstand corrosion, fire retardant, and insulate qualities. Inhaling these tiny fibers could cause serious health issues like lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. These illnesses can last up to 30 years before symptoms begin to manifest. railroad injury settlement amounts has prohibited the mining and processing of asbestos in the United States, but it is still utilized in a variety of products. This includes certain types of floor felt, paper, and fake fire embers. However, when these materials are exposed to heat or water they could release toxic asbestos fibers. The fibers can also be released into the air when buildings are being demolished or when homes are being renovated. A recent study showed that even a five-year exposure to benzene significantly increases a person's risk for developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). If you're suffering from symptoms such as night sweats, a mysterious weight loss, and a lack of appetite or loss of appetite, seek out your doctor immediately. They may perform the test of blood to check for AML. The EPA resolved a recent case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. 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 current locomotives with new ones that comply with 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 cocktail of toxic chemicals which include carcinogens like benzene, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. It also contains nitrogen oxides particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons. In reality the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel exhaust as a group 1 carcinogen. Moreover, diesel exhaust is an important cause of respiratory illness in the form of bronchiopulmonary illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. An article published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2006 related railroad worker employment to COPD rates. When locomotives and railcars are in motion and idle, they emit diesel exhaust. The engines and machinery that are idling emit gases in addition to diesel fumes, which include sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Diesel exhaust fumes are usually not distinguishable in locomotive cabs, where conductors and engineers work up to six hours each day. When employees enter or exit the cabs, the engine as well as equipment emit more diesel exhaust fumes that pose a risk for lung and cancer of the railway. In poorly ventilated roundhouses or workshops railroad mechanics have to contend with an extreme risk of exposure to diesel exhaust. They work in enclosed areas with track equipment, locomotives and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.
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