Railroad Settlements and AsbestosIn 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. This law allowed for the funding of two transcontinental railway companies by providing large grants for rights of way. Railroad workers who develop cancer as a result of exposure to their workplaces are able to sue their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).An Illinois jury awarded an $7.5 million verdict to a former Union Pacific trackman dying from acute myeloid leukemia. The man blamed his blood cancer on a massive exposure to creosote and benzene. These chemicals were used to preserve and waterproof railroad ties made of wood.CreosoteCoal tar creosote, a wood preserver, is used to shield railroad ties from heat, sun and cold, rain, and snow. cancer settlements are exposed to toxic chemicals and solvents, including benzene in the application of coal tar creosote. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen, and can cause leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as well in other serious adverse consequences like convulsions changes in your heartbeat, liver damage, anemia and bone marrow damage. cancer of the lungs and skin.Our lawyers have successfully defended numerous lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad for exposure to coal-tar creosote. One of these cases was settled with an award of $750,000. The plaintiff was a track department worker who developed acute myeloid leukemia as a result of exposure to the chemical compound that is toxic in his work over 31 years. The jury found that the railroad did not provide any personal protective equipment and exposed him to a range of toxic chemicals that included coal-tar tar creosote and coal distillates.Another reason for this was the use of copper naphthalenate as an alternative to creosote from coal tar. Copper naphthenate, while less harmful to the environmental than creosote is very dangerous. Copper naphthenate can cause cancer and can cause nerve, skin and lung damage to the lung, skin and nerves. It also pollutes groundwater and soil with benzene.BenzeneBenzene is a colorless petroleum hydrocarbon that is used to create resins, plastics, and synthetic fibers. cancer settlements is also used in diesel fuels and exhaust. Diesel fumes are commonly inhaled by virtually all railroad workers. Benzene is a known carcinogen, and has been linked with leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).There is no limit of exposure to benzene. It can be taken in through the skin and inhaled. Long-term exposure to benzene can harm blood vessels, causing irregular menstrual flow, anemia and fertility issues. There is also a link between benzene to certain types of cancers such as lung and breast cancer.Inhaling benzene inhalation is the most hazardous. Inhaling benzene can cause headaches, dizziness, or nosebleeds. It can also affect your immune system and cause infections.A recent report highlighted high levels of benzene found in the air around 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 ask residents to take shelter. Railroad workers, which includes car department employees, locomotive machinists, electricians and pipefitters, regularly use benzene-containing products such as Safety-Kleen parts washers as well as CRC Brakleen as well as paints and thinners. The chemical is also used in printing solvents.AsbestosThe asbestos use in the railroad industry started in the early years. million settlement is composed of six naturally occurring silicate minerals with fibrous structure. They were once used in construction due to their resistance to corrosion, fire-resisting and insulate characteristics. Inhaling these fibers could lead to serious health issues like lung cancer and asbestosis. These conditions can take up to 30 years before symptoms appear.The EPA has been able to ban asbestos mining and processing in the US, but it still appears in many products. This includes various types of flooring felt, paper, and fake fireplace embers. When these materials are exposed to heat or water, they can release asbestos fibers. The fibers can also be released into the air when buildings are demolished or when homes are remodeled.A recent study has discovered that exposure to benzene even for five years significantly increases the chance of developing acute myeloid lymphoma (AML). Contact your doctor if experience symptoms such as night sweats or unexplained weight loss. They can perform a blood test to check for AML.The EPA recently settled a case with Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. (GWRSI). GWRSI operates locomotives that emit nitrogen oxides and fine particulates (PM2.5) when they operate on diesel fuel. This EPA settlement mandates that GWRSI replace any of its current locomotives with newer models that meet EPA emissions standards.Diesel ExhaustAs long diesel fuel is used to power railroads, workers will remain exposed to exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a cocktail of toxic chemicals that includes carcinogens like benzene and carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. It also includes particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides.In fact, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel exhaust as a Group 1 carcinogen. Diesel exhaust may also cause respiratory diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchiectasis. An article published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2006 linked railroad worker employment to COPD rates.Rail cars and locomotives emit diesel exhaust when they run and are idling in roundhouses and depots as well as yards and shops. The machinery and engines that idle emit gasses in addition to the diesel fumes. These include nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.Diesel exhaust fumes are often indistinguishable in locomotive cabs where conductors and engineers spend up to six hours per day. The equipment and engine emit more exhaust fumes from diesel engines when workers enter or leave the cabins. This could cause lung and cancerous problems.In roundhouses that are not well ventilated as well as workshops and shops, railroad mechanics face a high level of exposure to diesel exhaust. They work with locomotives and track equipment in closed spaces that are often contaminated with inhalants, like asbestos-insulated steam boilers and steam pipes and silica sand.