Railroad Settlements and AsbestosIn 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. This act aids in the financing of two transcontinental railway companies through large grants for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who develop cancers from exposure to their work environment may sue their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).An Illinois jury has handed down an $7.5 million verdict to an ex- Union Pacific trackman dying from acute myeloid leukemia. He blamed his blood cancer on massive exposure to creosote in the workplace and benzene. Both were used to preserve and waterproof wooden railroad ties.CreosoteCoal tar Creosote is a wood preserver, is used to shield railroad ties from the sun, heat and cold, rain and snow. Workers are exposed chemicals and solvents, like benzene during the application of coal creosote that is tar. Benzene is a known carcinogen that can cause leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and non-Hodgkin's lupus as well in other serious adverse effects like convulsions, changes in your heartbeat, liver damage anemia and bone marrow damage. cancer of the skin and lungs. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma settlement have successfully defended numerous lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad for exposure to coal-tar creosote. cancer lawsuit settlements of these cases was settled with an award of $750,000. The plaintiff was a track employee who developed acute myeloidleukemia as a result of exposure to the chemical compound that is toxic during his employment for over 31 years. The jury determined 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 distillates.Another instance involved the use of copper naphthenate a substitute for creosote derived from coal. Although it is less harmful to the environmental than creosote, is extremely dangerous. Copper naphthenate has been identified as a carcinogen and can cause nerve, skin and lung damage. It can also contaminate the soil and groundwater with benzene.BenzeneA 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 inhaled regularly by the majority of railroad workers. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen, has been linked with leukemia and the myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).There is no limit to the amount of exposure to benzene. It is absorbed through the skin and inhaled. Exposure for long periods can harm the blood and cause different health issues, such as anemia, irregular menstrual cycles and fertility problems. The chemical benzene has been linked to certain types of cancer, including breast and lung cancer.Benzene is a substance that can be consumed orally however it is more dangerous when breathed. Inhaling benzene could cause headaches, dizziness, nose bleeds and loss of consciousness. Benzene can also interfere with the immune system, which may result in infections. Colon cancer lawsuit settlements of benzene that were 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 urged residents to stay in their homes. Railroad workers, like car department employees as well as locomotive mechanics, electricians, and pipefitters use benzene containing products like Safety-Kleen part washers and CRC Brakleen and paints, thinners and other products. The chemical is also used in printing solvents.AsbestosAs early as the 1800s, asbestos was used in the railroad industry. Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals which were once extremely popular in construction due to their fire-retardant as well as their corrosion-resistant, fire-retardant and insulate properties. Inhaling these microscopic fibers can cause serious health problems such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. The signs of these health conditions may take between 15 and 30 years to manifest.The EPA has banned asbestos mining and processing in the United States however, it is still present in a number of products. This includes certain types of flooring felt, paper and fake fire embers. However, when these materials are exposed to water or heat they could release harmful asbestos fibers. These fibers may also get into the air when buildings are demolished or when homes are renovated.A recent study has discovered that exposure to benzene just for five years significantly increases the likelihood of developing acute myeloid tumor (AML). Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms such as sleepiness, night sweats, or unprovoked weight loss. They can do tests on your blood to identify AML.The EPA has settled a case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. GWRSI utilizes locomotives that operate on diesel fuel and emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This EPA settlement requires GWRSI to replace any of its existing locomotives with new ones that meet EPA emission standards.Diesel ExhaustAs long as diesel fuel continues be used to power freight trains railroad workers are exposed to exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a mix of toxic chemicals, which include carcinogens like benzene and carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. It also contains nitrogen oxides particulate matter, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons.The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel exhaust as a Group 1 carcinogen. In addition, diesel exhaust can be an underlying cause of respiratory disease in the form of bronchiopulmonary illnesses like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. A report published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2006 related railroad worker employment to COPD rates.Rail and locomotives emit diesel exhaust when they are running and are idling in roundhouses, depots, yards and shops. The engines and machinery that are idling emit gases in addition to the diesel fumes, including sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.The odor of diesel exhaust is frequently evident in the cabs of locomotives, where engineers and conductors sit for up to six hours at a time. The equipment and the engine emit more exhaust fumes from diesel engines when workers enter and leave the cabins. This could cause lung and cancerous conditions.In roundhouses that are not well ventilated workshops, shops, and roundhouses railroad mechanics have to contend with high levels of exposure to diesel exhaust. They work with locomotives and track equipment in closed spaces that can produce dangerous inhalants, like asbestos-insulated steam boilers and steam pipes and silica sand.