Railroad Settlements and AsbestosIn 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. This law helped fund two transcontinental railway companies by providing large grants for rights-of way. Railroad workers who contract cancer as a result of workplace exposures can sue their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).An Illinois jury handed down an $7.5 million verdict to an ex- Union Pacific trackman dying from acute myeloid leukemia. The judge blamed the blood-cancer on exposure to creosote, benzene and other chemicals used to preserve wooden railroad ties.CreosoteCoal tar Creosote is the wood preserver used to shield railroad tie from heat, sun and cold, rain and snow. When applying coal tar creosote, workers are exposed to a variety of toxic chemicals and solvents like benzene. Benzene, a known carcinogen, can cause leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma as well in other serious side effects such as heartbeat fluctuations, convulsions, liver damage, anemia and cancers of the lungs and the body.Our lawyers have been successful in prosecuting several lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad involving coal-tar creosote exposure. One of these cases led to a $7,500,000 verdict. cancer settlements was a track department employee suffered from acute myeloid carcinoma because of exposure to harmful chemical compounds on the job for 31 years. The jury found that the railroad did not provide him with personal protective gear and exposed him of toxic chemicals such as coal-tar tar creosote as well as coal tar distillates.Another claim was about the use of copper naphthenate substitute for creosote from coal tar. Although copper naphthenate may be less hazardous to the environment than creosote is, it can nevertheless be extremely dangerous. Copper naphthenate can cause cancer and can cause skin, nerve and lung damage to the lung, skin and nerves. csx settlement has the potential to contaminate groundwater and soil with benzene.BenzeneBenzene is a colorless, liquid petroleum hydrocarbon, is used to manufacture plastics, resins and synthetic fibers. It can also be found in diesel fuels and exhaust. Diesel fumes are regularly inhaled by the majority of railroad workers. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen, has been linked with leukemia and myelodysplastic disorder (MDS).There is no limit of exposure to benzene. It can be absorbed through the skin and inhaled. Long-term exposure to benzene can harm blood vessels, causing irregular periods, anemia and fertility issues. Benzene has also been linked to certain types of cancers including lung and breast cancer.It is possible to inhale benzene orally however it is more dangerous when inhaled. Inhaling benzene may cause headaches, dizziness or nosebleeds. The benzene fumes can also affect the immune system and trigger infections.A recent report highlighted the increased levels of benzene in the air near two Chicago train stations. Commuters and railroad workers were exposed to the high levels of pollution which caused schools to shut down classes and cities to require residents to stay in shelters. Railroad workers, which includes car department employees, locomotive machinists, pipefitters and electricians regularly utilize benzene-containing products, like Safety-Kleen parts washers and CRC Brakleen as well as thinners and paints. Also, benzene is used in printing solvents.AsbestosThe use of asbestos in the railroad industry started in the early days. Asbestos consists of six naturally occurring silicate minerals with fibrous structure. They were once utilized in the construction industry due to their an anti-corrosion, fire retardant and insulate characteristics. Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause serious health problems like lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. Symptoms of these health conditions may take between 15 and 30 years to show.The EPA has been able to ban the mining and processing of asbestos in this country however, it is utilized in a variety of products. This includes certain kinds of paper, flooring felt, and fake fireplace embers. However, if these materials are exposed to water or heat they could release harmful asbestos fibers. These fibers can also enter the air when buildings are destroyed or when homes are being renovated.A recent study has revealed that exposure to benzene for only five years significantly increases the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). If you are suffering from symptoms such as night sweats that are not explained, loss of weight and suppression or loss of appetite see your doctor immediately. They can conduct the test of blood to check for AML.The EPA settled a recent case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. bnsf settlement 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 current locomotives with more modern models that comply with EPA emission standards.Diesel ExhaustAs long as diesel fuel is used to power railroads, workers will continue to be exposed to exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a dangerous mix of chemicals that includes carcinogens like benzene and carbon monoxide. It also contains particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides.The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel exhaust as a group 1 carcinogen. Furthermore, diesel exhaust is an underlying cause of respiratory disease in the form of bronchiopulmonary disorders such as chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. A report published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2006 related railroad worker employment to COPD rates.When million settlement and locomotives are in motion and idle, they emit diesel exhaust. Idling engines emit gases, like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxidants as well as diesel fumes.The smell of diesel exhaust is often present in locomotive cabs, where conductors and engineers sit for up to six hours at the same time. The equipment and engine emit more diesel exhaust fumes when workers enter or leave the cabins. This could cause lung and cancerous issues.In poorly ventilated roundhouses, shops and workshops railroad mechanics have to contend with a high level of exposure to diesel exhaust. csx settlement work in enclosed areas that contain track equipment, locomotives and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.