Railroad Settlements and AsbestosIn 1862, Congress passed the Pacific Railroad Act which helped fund two transcontinental railroad companies through giving large grants of land for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who contract cancer because of workplace exposures can sue their 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 lymphoma. The man blamed the cause of his blood cancer to massive exposure to creosote and benzene. These chemicals were used to preserve and waterproof railroad ties made of wooden.CreosoteCoal tar Creosote, an organic wood preserver, is employed to shield railroad ties from the sun, heat and cold, rain, and snow. Workers are exposed to harmful solvents and chemicals, including benzene during the application of coal creosote. Benzene is a known carcinogen and can cause myelodysplastic syndrome, leukemia and non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma as well in other serious adverse effects such as convulsions, changes in your heartbeat, liver damage anemia, bone marrow damage and cancer of the skin and lungs.Our lawyers have successfully defended several lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad for exposure to coal-tar creosote. One of these cases resulted with a $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track employee who was diagnosed with acute myeloid tumors due to exposure to toxic chemical compounds while on working for over 31 years. The jury found that railroad did not provide him with personal protective gear, and exposed him to a variety of toxic chemicals such as coal-tar tar creosote and coal tar distillates.Another case involved the use of copper naphthenate a substitute for creosote made of coal tar. Although copper naphthenate isn't more environmentally harmful than creosote, it can still be extremely harmful. Copper naphthenate can cause lung, skin and nerve injury to the nerves, skin and lung. It also pollutes soil and groundwater with benzene.BenzeneBenzene is a colorless petroleum hydrocarbon that is used to create resins, plastics and synthetic fibers. It is also used in diesel fuel and exhaust. Diesel fumes are regularly inhaled by the majority of railroad workers. Benzene is a known carcinogen, and has been linked with leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).There is no safe exposure level to benzene. It can be taken in through the skin and inhaled. Long-term exposure to the benzene compound can cause blood damage, leading to irregular periods, anemia and fertility issues. The chemical is also linked to certain types of cancers like breast and lung cancer. railroad strike settlement is a substance that can be consumed orally but it is the most hazardous when inhaled. Inhaling benzene may cause dizziness, headaches, nose bleeds and loss of consciousness. It can also disrupt the immune system, which could cause infections.A recent report highlighted higher levels of benzene that were found in the air near two Chicago train stations. Commuters and railroad workers were exposed pollutant levels, which led to schools having to stop classes and cities to require residents to take shelter. Railroad workers, like car department employees and 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.AsbestosThe asbestos use in the railroad industry was discovered in the early years. Asbestos consists of six silicate minerals naturally occurring with fibrous structure. They were previously used in the construction industry due to their fire retardant, corrosion resistant, and insulate qualities. Inhaling these particles can cause serious health issues such as lung cancer or asbestosis. These conditions can take up to 30 years before symptoms appear.The EPA has prohibited the mining and processing of asbestos in the United States However, asbestos is used in many of the products. This includes certain types of paper, floor felt, and fake fire embers. When these materials are exposed to heat or water, they can release asbestos fibers. They could also be released into air during demolition or remodeling.A recent study has found that exposure to benzene even for five years significantly increases the chance of developing acute myeloid lymphoma (AML). Consult your doctor if you notice symptoms like night sweats or unexplained weight loss. They can conduct the test of blood 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 are running on diesel fuel. This EPA settlement requires GWRSI to replace any of its existing locomotives with new ones that meet EPA emission standards.Diesel ExhaustAs long as diesel fuel is used to power freight trains, railroad workers will continue to be exposed to exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a mixture of toxic chemicals, which include carcinogens like benzene, carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. It also includes particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides.The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel exhaust as a Group 1 carcinogen. Diesel exhaust is also a cause of respiratory ailments like chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) or bronchiectasis. A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2006 connected the work of railroad workers to COPD rates.Locomotive and rail cars belch diesel exhaust when they are running and are idling in roundhouses and depots as well as yards and shops. When engines are running, they release gases such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxidants in addition to diesel fumes.Diesel exhaust fumes are often not distinguishable in locomotive cabs, in which conductors and engineers are seated for at least six hours a day. The equipment and the engine emit more exhaust fumes from diesel engines when workers enter and leave the cabs. This can cause lung and cancerous ailments.In roundhouses that are not well ventilated workshops, shops, and roundhouses, railroad mechanics face the risk of being exposed to diesel exhaust. They work in enclosed areas equipped with track equipment, locomotives and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.