Railroad Settlements and AsbestosIn 1862, Congress passed the Pacific Railroad Act, which provided funding for two transcontinental railroad companies by providing large grants of lands for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who contract cancer from exposure to their work environment may file lawsuits against 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. stomach cancer caused by railroad how to get a settlement blamed his blood-cancer on exposure to creosote benzene and other chemicals used to preserve wooden railroad ties.CreosoteCoal tar creosote, the wood preserver used to shield railroad tie from heat, sun and cold, rain, and snow. Workers are exposed to harmful chemicals and solvents, like benzene in the application of coal tar creosote. Benzene, a known carcinogen is a known carcinogen that can cause leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma as well with other serious consequences like heartbeat changes, convulsions liver damage, anemia and cancers of the lungs and body.Our lawyers have successfully defended numerous lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad for exposure to coal-tar creosote. One of these cases landed the settlement of $7,500,000. The plaintiff was a track department worker was diagnosed with acute myeloid cancer due to exposure to chemicals that were toxic on the job for over 31 years. The jury determined 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 as well as coal tar distillates.Another theory was the use of copper naphthalenate as a replacement for creosote from coal tar. Although copper naphthenate isn't more hazardous to the environment than creosote, it can still be extremely harmful. Copper naphthenate is a cancer-causing agent and can cause skin, nerve and lung damage. It also contaminates the soil and groundwater with benzene.BenzeneBenzene, a colorless liquid petroleum hydrocarbon that is used to create resins, plastics, and synthetic fibers. It is also present in diesel fuel and exhaust. Diesel fumes are frequently inhaled by nearly all railroad workers. Benzene is a carcinogen that is well-known, has been linked with leukemia and myelodysplastic disorder (MDS).There is no safe exposure level to benzene. It is taken in through the skin and inhaled. Long-term exposure to benzene can harm blood vessels, causing irregular periods, anemia and fertility issues. Benzene is also associated with certain types of cancers, including breast and lung cancer.Inhaling benzene inhalation is the most dangerous. Inhaling benzene could cause headaches, dizziness or nosebleeds. It can also affect your immune system and trigger infections.Recent reports have revealed the elevated levels benzene near two Chicago train station. Commuters and railroad workers were exposed to the high levels of pollution, which prompted schools to close classes and cities to require residents to take shelter. Railroad workers, for instance car department employees, locomotive mechanics, electricians and pipefitters, use benzene containing products like Safety-Kleen part washers and CRC Brakleen, as well as paints thinners, paints and other products. Benzene can also be found in printing solvents.AsbestosThe asbestos usage in the railroad industry was discovered in the middle of the century. Asbestos is comprised of six naturally occurring silicate minerals with fibrous structure. They were once utilized in the construction industry due to their fire retardant, corrosion resistant, and insulate qualities. Inhaling these microscopic fibers can cause serious health problems like lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. The signs of these health conditions can take 15 to 30 years before they show up.The EPA has prohibited asbestos mining and processing in the US, but it still appears in a wide range of products. This includes certain kinds of flooring felt, paper and fake fire embers. However, when these products are exposed to heat or water they could release harmful asbestos fibers. These fibers may also get into the air when buildings are destroyed or when homes are remodeled.A recent study has discovered that exposure to benzene even for five years significantly increases the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Consult your doctor if you have symptoms such as night sweats or an unprovoked weight loss. They can perform an examination of your blood to look for AML.The EPA reached a settlement in a recent case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. GWRSI operates locomotives that operate on diesel fuel and emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This EPA settlement mandates that GWRSI replace any of its current locomotives with newer models that comply with EPA emission standards.Diesel ExhaustAs long diesel fuel is used to power railroads, freight trains will continue to be exposed exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a cocktail of toxic chemicals, which include carcinogens such benzene monoxide and formaldehyde. It also contains particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides.In fact the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel exhaust as a class 1 carcinogen. Diesel exhaust can also trigger respiratory illnesses such as chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) or bronchiectasis. A 2006 study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad worker's employment with COPD rates.If railcars and locomotives are in motion and idle, they emit diesel exhaust. The machines and engines that are idle emit gases in addition diesel fumes, including sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.The odor of diesel exhaust is typically present in locomotive cabs, where conductors and engineers sit for up to six hours at an time. The engine and equipment emit more exhaust fumes from diesel engines as workers enter or leave the cabs. This can cause pulmonary and cancerous conditions.Additionally railroad mechanics are also exposed to diesel exhaust in roundhouses that are not ventilated and shops. They work in enclosed spaces equipped with track equipment, locomotives and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.