Railroad Settlements and AsbestosIn 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. This act helped fund two transcontinental railway companies by providing large grants for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who develop cancer as a result of exposures at work can sue employers under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA).A jury in Illinois has awarded $7.5 million to a former Union Pacific Trackman who died from acute myeloid leukemia. The man blamed his blood cancer on exposure to creosote compounds like benzene and others used to preserve railroad ties made of wood.CreosoteCoal tar creosote is an organic wood preservative used to protect railroad ties from sun, heat, cold and snow. Workers are exposed to toxic chemicals and solvents, including benzene, in the process of applying of coal creosote tar. Benzene is a known carcinogen, and can cause leukemia, myelodysplastic disorder and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as well as other serious side effects like convulsions, changes in your heartbeat, liver damage anemia and bone marrow damages. cancer of the skin and lungs.Our attorneys have successfully prosecuted numerous lawsuits against the Union Pacific Railroad involving coal-tar creosote exposure. One of these cases landed an award of $750,000. The plaintiff was a track department worker who was diagnosed with acute myeloid tumors as a result exposure to harmful chemical compounds on the job for 31 years. The jury concluded that the railroad did not provide him with personal protective equipment, and exposed him to a range of toxic chemicals such as coal-tar tar creosote and coal distillates.Another claim was about the use of copper naphthenate an alternative to coal tar creosote. Copper naphthenate, although less harmful to the environmental than creosote can still be very dangerous. Copper naphthenate has been identified as a carcinogen and can cause nerve, skin and lung damage. It is also a source of contamination for the groundwater and soil with benzene.BenzeneBenzene is a colorless, liquid petroleum hydrocarbon, is used to manufacture resins, plastics, and synthetic fibers. It is also found in diesel fuels and exhaust. Diesel fumes are inhaled regularly by the majority of railroad workers. Benzene is a known carcinogen has been linked to leukemia and the myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).There is no safe exposure level to benzene. It can be inhaled or taken in through the surface of the skin. Long-term exposure to benzene may cause blood damage, leading to irregular menstrual cycles, anemia, and fertility issues. It has also been linked to certain types of cancer including lung and breast cancer.Benzene can be ingested orally however it is more dangerous when inhaled. Inhaling benzene can cause headaches, dizziness nose bleeds, headaches, and loss of consciousness. Benzene can also interfere with the immune system, which could result in infections.A recent report highlighted elevated levels of benzene in the air near two Chicago train stations. Commuters and railroad workers were exposed to the high levels of pollution, which prompted schools to close classes and cities to request residents to take shelter in their homes. Railroad workers, including car department employees and locomotive mechanics, electricians and pipefitters utilize products containing benzene, such as Safety-Kleen part washers CRC Brakleen, as well as paints thinners, paints and other products. The chemical is also used in printing solvents.AsbestosThe asbestos use in the railway industry began in the middle of the century. Asbestos is made up of six naturally occurring silicate minerals with a fibrous structure. They were once utilized in construction due to their an anti-corrosion, fire retardant and insulate characteristics. Inhaling these fibers can cause serious health problems including lung cancer and asbestosis. These illnesses can last up to 30 years before symptoms are evident.The EPA has been able to ban the mining and processing of asbestos in this country however it is used in many products. This includes some types of paper, flooring felt, and fake fireplace embers. When these materials are exposed to heat or water they may release asbestos fibers. They can also be released into the air when buildings are demolished or when homes are remodeled.A recent study found that even a five-year exposure to benzene significantly increases the chance of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Consult your physician if you have symptoms such as night sweats or an unprovoked weight loss. They can do a blood test to detect AML.The EPA recently resolved a case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. (GWRSI). GWRSI operates locomotives which emit nitrogen oxides as well as fine particulates (PM2.5) when they run on diesel fuel. CSX Transportation settlement that GWRSI replace any of its locomotives with more modern models that are compliant with EPA emissions standards. Pancreatic cancer settlement As long as diesel fuel continues be used to power freight train, railroad workers are exposed to exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a dangerous cocktail of chemicals, including carcinogens such as benzene and carbon monoxide. It also includes particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides.In reality, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel exhaust as a Group 1 carcinogen. In addition, diesel exhaust can be a source of respiratory illness in the form of bronchiopulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. asbestos lung cancer settlement published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad workers' employment to COPD rates.Rail and locomotives emit diesel exhaust when they run and are idling in depots, roundhouses, shops and yards. The idling engines and machinery emit gases in addition diesel fumes, including sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.Diesel exhaust fumes are usually similar to those in locomotive cabs in which conductors and engineers are seated for up to six hours a day. The equipment and engine emit more diesel exhaust fumes when workers enter and leave the cabins. This can lead to pulmonary and cancerous ailments.Additionally, railroad mechanics are heavily exposed to diesel exhausts in poorly ventilated roundhouses and shops. They work in enclosed spaces with track equipment, locomotives and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.