Railroad Settlements and AsbestosIn 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. This law helped to fund two transcontinental railroad companies through large grants to 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 handed $7.5 million to a former Union Pacific Trackman who died of acute myeloid leukemia. The man blamed his blood cancer on exposure to creosote, benzene and other chemicals used to protect wooden railroad ties.CreosoteCoal tar creosote can be described as a wood preservative that is used to protect railroad ties from sun, cold, heat, rain and snow. During the process of applying coal tar creosote, workers are exposed to a variety of toxic chemicals and solvents like benzene. Benzene is a known carcinogen that can cause leukemia, myelodysplastic disease and non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma as well as other serious side effects like convulsions, changes in your heartbeat, liver damage, anemia, bone marrow damage and cancer of the lungs and skin.Our attorneys have successfully prosecuted numerous lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad for exposure to coal-tar creosote. One of these cases was settled with an award of $7,500,000. The plaintiff was a track department employee who developed acute myeloid leukemia as a result of exposure to the toxic chemical compound on his job over 31 years. The jury concluded that the railroad did not provide any personal protection equipment and regularly exposed him large number of toxic chemicals like coal-tar creosote and coal tar distillates, naphtha, carbolineum and other cleaning solvents.Another theory was the use of copper naphthalenate as a replacement for creosote from coal tar. Although copper naphthenate is less hazardous to the environment than creosote, it could still be extremely harmful. Copper naphthenate is a cancer-causing agent and can cause nerve, skin and lung damage. It also has the potential to contaminate groundwater and soil with benzene.BenzeneA colorless liquid petroleum hydrocarbon, benzene is a component in the manufacture of plastics, resins, nylon and synthetic fibers. It is also found in diesel fuels and exhaust. Virtually all railroad workers are exposed to diesel fumes on a regular basis. Benzene is a carcinogen that is well-known is linked to leukemia and myelodysplastic disorder (MDS).There is no safe exposure to benzene. It can be breathed in or absorption through the surface the skin. Long-term exposure to the benzene compound can harm blood vessels, causing anemia, irregular periods, and fertility issues. how did railroads make western settlement possible has also been linked to certain types of cancers including lung and breast cancer.Benzene is a substance that can be consumed orally however it is more dangerous when breathed. Inhaling benzene may cause headaches, dizziness and nosebleeds. The benzene compound can also impair the immune system, which could result in infections.A recent report highlighted the increased levels of benzene in the air around two Chicago train stations. Commuters railway workers, commuters and city residents were exposed to extreme levels of pollution. Schools were closed for classes and cities urged residents to stay in their homes. Railroad workers, for instance car department employees, locomotive mechanics, electricians and pipefitters work with products containing benzene, such as Safety-Kleen part washers, CRC Brakleen, as well as paints, thinners, and other products. Benzene is also used in printing solvents.AsbestosEarly on asbestos was utilized in the railroad industry. Asbestos comprises six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that were once widely used in construction due to their fire-retardant, fire-retardant, corrosion-resistant and insulate properties. Inhaling these fibrous materials can lead to serious health issues including lung cancer and asbestosis. Symptoms of these health conditions can take anywhere from 15 to 30 years to show.The EPA has banned the mining and processing of asbestos in the United States However, asbestos is utilized in a variety of products. This includes certain types of paper, floor felt, and fake fire embers. But, if these items are exposed to water or heat they can release toxic asbestos fibers. These fibers could also be released into air during demolition or remodeling.A recent study has found that exposure to benzene just for five years significantly increases the risk of developing acute myeloid tumor (AML). Contact your doctor if are experiencing symptoms such as night sweats or an unprovoked weight loss. They may perform an examination of your blood to look for AML.The EPA recently settled 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 operate on diesel fuel. This EPA settlement requires that GWRSI replace any of its current locomotives with more modern models that meet EPA emission standards.Diesel ExhaustAs long as diesel fuel is used to power railroad workers, they will remain exposed to exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a harmful mix of chemicals that includes carcinogens like benzene as well as carbon monoxide. It also includes particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons as well as nitrogen oxides.The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel exhaust as a Group 1 carcinogen. Diesel exhaust may also cause respiratory illnesses such as chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) or bronchiectasis. A report published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2006 linked railroad worker employment to COPD rates.Rail cars and locomotives emit diesel exhaust when they are running and idle in roundhouses, depots, yards and shops. The idling engines and machinery emit gasses in addition to the diesel fumes, which include sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.Diesel exhaust fumes are usually not distinguishable in locomotive cabs, where conductors and engineers spend up to six hours each day. The equipment and the engine emit more exhaust fumes from diesel engines as workers enter or leave the cabins. This can lead to pulmonary and cancerous issues.In poorly ventilated roundhouses as well as workshops and shops, railroad mechanics face high levels of exposure to diesel exhaust. They work with locomotives and track equipment in enclosed spaces that frequently produce harmful inhalants, like asbestos-insulated steam boilers and steam pipes and silica sand.