Railroad Workers and CancerIf you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer after working as a railroad employee could be entitled to compensation. The Federal Employers Liability (FELA) which provides compensation for railroad employers who are negligent and cause cancer, or related injuries, gives you the opportunity.Lung cancer is a frequent condition among railway workers who are exposed to diesel exhaust fumes. The carcinogenic substance can cause different types of cancers, such as bladder cancer, leukemia and pancreatic cancer.Lung CancerA railroad worker's exposure to exhaust fumes from diesel engines can increase their risk of lung cancer. These fumes are produced by diesel fuel, which contains an extremely toxic mix of more than a dozen carcinogenic compounds. They also contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which can cause lung damage over time.Many railroad workers are exposed fumes through their work in engine crew cab compartments or shop areas. The diesel fumes include the main components of diesel fuel, such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and nitrogen oxide, along with other minor components. These contaminants can cause serious health problems , including heart attacks, lung diseases, and cancer.A study revealed that engineers and railroad conductors were at higher risk of lung cancer. This type of cancer usually occurs in the lungs and can often be fatal within a few months.Lung cancer is present in two types: small cell lung cancer as well as non-small cell lung cancer. Both kinds of lung cancer can be treated with a variety of treatments. However, it can be difficult and expensive to treat a lung cancer.If you or someone close to you has developed lung cancer following working in the railroad industry, you may have an legal claim against your employer. Federal law gives railroad workers the right to claim medical damages when their condition was caused by their work environment or negligence.A lawyer can examine the working history and employment records of railroad employees to determine if their health was caused by their job. A lawyer can also consult with other professionals who are skilled in investigating and prosecuting lawsuits involving railroads.It was widely known that asbestos and other carcinogenic substances were utilized by railroad companies and put employees at greater risk of mesothelioma. Railroad companies continued to employ asbestos and other asbestos-containing materials even after it was banned by the 1970s.As a result they developed mesothelioma a type of cancer that is fatal that affects the lining of the lungs. It could also be an early indicator for other kinds of cancer.There is a strong link between exposure to diesel exhaust and lung cancer mortality. In railroad workers and cancer , it is important railway workers undergo regular medical checkups and to ask their physicians to recommend lung cancer screening procedures. These tests include chest radiographs, as well as low-dose CT scans.LeukemiaLeukemia is a form of cancer that occurs in blood-forming tissues. It affects a particular type of white blood cell, called lymphocytes. It can be fatal if left untreated.Railroad employees are at a greater chance of developing this kind of cancer as a result of their exposure to chemicals in their workplace. The most common chemicals that cause cancer are herbicides and pesticides, benzene, diesel fuel, and benzene.Evidence is mounting to suggest that certain industrial chemicals may increase your risk of developing blood cancers, such as leukemia. The most common of these chemical exposures is benzene which is a petroleum-based product that is found in gasoline and diesel fuel.Benzene, which is a clear, and flammable liquid, with the scent of sweets is very widespread. It is also used in many solvents, lubricants, and other products.The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has classified benzene as a carcinogen. This means that it could cause cancer. It is usually found in diesel exhaust that railroad machinists, engineers, conductors as well as electricians and laborers are exposed to on a regular routine.Creosote and coal tar are the other commonly used chemicals that can cause leukemia-like blood cancers among railroad workers. Both of these chemicals are found on bridges and structures on railroads as well as in the railroad ties that employees use to join railroad tracks together.Other chemical exposures that have been associated with blood cancers among railroad employees include pesticides and herbicides. Pesticides and herbicides are used in railroad yards and right-of-way to combat pests and other undesirable plants.A few of the most well-known pesticides that are found in railroad yards and right of ways are fungicides and herbicides. These chemicals may increase the risk to develop a form of blood cancer like leukemia. They can cause abnormal blood cells to develop in your bone marrow which can lead to decreased capacity for the cells to function normally.Lead, asbestos and even benzene are all industrial chemicals that can pose a risk for railroad workers. These toxins can be very toxic and can cause death if not treated.Asbestos CancerAsbestos is a known cause of serious diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Cancer can take a long time to develop and certain asbestos-related cancers could be fatal. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, we can help.Railroad workers were the main source for asbestos exposure in the 20th century. This was especially when they were involved in the manufacturing and repair of rail equipment. Engineers boilermakers, casters of metal and other workers with these products were exposed to asbestos fibers throughout their production process.If asbestos is inhaled, it may attach to the lining of your lungs (pleura) or to your stomach and your intestines (peritoneum). The most common forms are peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma.Mesothelioma is the most severe type of asbestos-related cancer is the most prevalent. It is most commonly found in the lungs but may also affect the abdominal lining and testicles.A physical exam and blood tests are sufficient to diagnose mesothelioma. However doctors will also conduct an imaging scan to check for any abnormalities in the body. If they suspect mesothelioma could be the reason behind the patient's symptoms, they'll conduct a biopsy to gather fluid or tissue for testing.An attorney who is knowledgeable in FELA lawsuits should be contacted by anyone who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. A knowledgeable mesothelioma attorney will assist you in receiving the compensation you deserve.Railway workers who have been exposed to asbestos for a long amount of time are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma or other related illnesses than other workers in the same profession. They are 35 times more likely to develop lung cancer than people who have never worked with asbestos.They are also more likely to develop cardiopulmonary fibrosisand other diseases that can lead to death, such as strokes and heart failure. During the past 50 years there have been a number of reports linking railroad workers with various diseases related to asbestos.Numerous studies have demonstrated that asbestos exposure can increase the risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer along with other serious problems. Railroad workers who smoke cigarettes are also at higher risk of developing lung cancer.Other CancersRailroad workers are part of a large business that moves goods every day from coal to cars. They also are exposed to various substances that could cause cancer. Some of the most prevalent substances that can cause cancer in a railroad worker are asbestos and benzene.Benzene, a chemical which is found in crude oil, gasoline and other sources, is found in the exhausts of trains and in degreasing products used by railroads to clean their equipment. It is a very harmful carcinogen that is taken up by the skin it comes into contact with these chemicals.Wearing goggles while working with diesel fumes or degreasing solvents can shield your eyes from the harmful effects of benzene. People who work in buildings where there is a lot of diesel fumes are able to inhale benzene. It is also possible to breathe the fumes.Creosote is another potentially cancer-causing chemical that railroad workers could be exposed to. Creosote can be described as a thick oily, smoky liquid used to treat railroad wood. It's a well-known carcinogen that can be inhaled by railroad workers who treat railroad ties with creosote.Lung cancer is among the most common forms of cancer that railroad workers suffer from. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified the emissions of locomotives from diesel as group 1 (carcinogenic to humans).This diesel exhaust is responsible for 40% of lung cancers in railway workers. A study conducted over 38 years found that those who were exposed were more likely than those who were not to develop lung cancer.Despite all safety precautions even with all safety precautions, the railway industry has a high chance of getting cancer. It has been reported that people who are employed with modern diesel engines are more likely to develop chance of developing lung cancer.Anyone who has developed cancer while working on the rails could be able to bring a lawsuit against the railroad and seek compensation for their injuries. It is important to consult with a qualified lawyer immediately you discover that you've been diagnosed with cancer.