railroad back injury settlements and AsbestosIn 1862, Congress passed the Pacific Railroad Act, which provided funding for two transcontinental railroads by granting large grants of lands 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 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. Both were used to protect and waterproof railroad ties made of wooden.CreosoteCoal tar Creosote, an organic wood preserver, is used to protect railroad tie from heat, sun and cold, rain and snow. Workers are exposed to harmful solvents and chemicals, including benzene, in the process of applying of coal creosote that is tar. lung cancer lawsuit settlements is a well-known carcinogen that can cause leukemia, myelodysplastic disorder and non-Hodgkin's lupus as well as other serious side effects such as convulsions, changes to your heartbeat, liver damage anemia and bone marrow damage. cancer of the skin and lungs. lung cancer lawsuit settlements have successfully prosecuted various lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad involving coal-tar creosote exposure. One of these cases culminated in an $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track employee who contracted acute myeloidleukemia as a result of exposure to the chemical compound that is toxic on his job over 31 years. The jury found that the railroad did not provide any personal protective equipment, and exposed him to a variety of toxic chemicals that included coal-tar tar creosote, as well as coal distillates.Another claim involved the use of copper naphthenate as a substitute for creosote made of coal tar. Although it is less harmful to the environmental than creosote, can be very dangerous. Copper naphthenate is a cancer-causing agent and can cause skin, nerve and lung damage to the lung, skin and nerves. It is also a source of contamination for the soil and groundwater with benzene.BenzeneA colorless liquid petroleum hydrocarbon benzene is used in the production of resins, plastics nylon and synthetic fibers. It is also present in diesel fuel and exhaust. Diesel fumes are inhaled regularly by the majority of railroad workers. railroad injury settlement amounts is a known carcinogen, and has been linked with leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).There is no safe level of exposure to benzene. It can be absorbed through the skin and inhaled. Long-term exposure to the benzene compound can cause blood damage, leading to irregular periods, anemia and fertility issues. It has also been linked to certain types of cancer such as lung and breast cancer.Inhaling benzene can be the most hazardous. Inhaling benzene may cause headaches, dizziness or nosebleeds. Benzene may also affect the immune system and cause infections.A recent report highlighted high levels of benzene found in the air near two Chicago train stations. Commuters railway workers, commuters and city residents were exposed to high levels of pollution. Schools shut down classes and cities asked residents to shelter in place. Railroad workers, for instance car department employees and electricians, locomotive mechanics and pipefitters work with products containing benzene, such as Safety-Kleen part washers CRC Brakleen as well as paints thinners, paints and other products. Benzene can also be found in printing solvents.AsbestosAt first asbestos was utilized in the railroad industry. Asbestos is a class of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals which were once very popular in construction for their fire retardant corrosion-resistant, fire-retardant, and insulate properties. Inhaling these fibers could cause serious health problems such as lung cancer and asbestosis. Symptoms of these health conditions can take 15 to 30 years before they show up.The EPA has banned asbestos mining and processing in the US however, it can be found in a number of products. This includes certain types of flooring felt, paper, and fake fireplace embers. However, when these materials are exposed to heat or water they can release toxic asbestos fibers. These fibers may also get into the air when buildings are being demolished or when homes are renovated.A recent study has discovered that exposure to benzene just for five years significantly increases the risk of developing acute myeloid lymphoma (AML). If you are suffering from symptoms like night sweats that are not explained, weight loss, and a lack of appetite or lack of appetite, seek out your doctor immediately. They can perform the test of blood to check for 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 current locomotives with new ones that comply with EPA emission standards.Diesel ExhaustAs long as diesel fuel is used to power railroads, freight trains will continue to be exposed to exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a mixture of toxic chemicals, which include carcinogens like benzene, carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. It also contains particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons as well as nitrogen oxides. railroad injury settlement amounts for Research on Cancer has classified diesel exhaust as a group 1 carcinogen. Diesel exhaust is also a cause of respiratory diseases 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.Rail and locomotives emit diesel exhaust when they run and are idling in roundhouses, depots yards and shops. The machinery and engines that idle emit gases in addition diesel fumes. These include sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.Diesel exhaust fumes can be unnoticeable in locomotive cabins where conductors and engineers spend up to six hours a day. When employees enter or exit the cabs, the engine as well as equipment produce more diesel exhaust fumes, creating a hazard for railway cancer and pulmonary problems.In roundhouses that are not well ventilated workshops, shops, and roundhouses railroad mechanics face a high level of exposure to diesel exhaust. They work in enclosed spaces with locomotives, track equipment and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.