The Hidden Secrets Of Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Railroad Settlements and Asbestos

In 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 because of exposure to their workplaces are able to sue their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma settlement handed down an $7.5 million verdict to an ex- Union Pacific trackman dying from acute myeloid leukemia. fela railroad settlements blamed his blood-cancer on exposure to creosote, the chemical benzene, and other chemicals used to preserve wooden railroad ties.

Creosote

Coal tar Creosote is a wood preserver, can be used to shield railroad ties from heat, sun and cold, rain and snow. Workers are exposed chemicals and solvents, like benzene, during the application of coal creosote tar. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen that can cause leukemia, myelodysplastic disorder and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as in other serious adverse consequences like convulsions changes in your heartbeat, liver damage, anemia and bone marrow damages. cancer of the lungs and skin.

Our lawyers have successfully prosecuted various lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad involving coal-tar creosote exposure. One of these cases culminated in the settlement of a $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track department employee suffered from acute myeloid carcinoma due to exposure chemicals that were toxic on the job for over 31 years. The jury found that the railroad did not provide him with personal protective equipment, and exposed him to a variety of toxic chemicals including coal-tar-tar creosote, as well as coal distillates.

Another claim was about the use of copper naphthenate as a substitute for coal tar creosote. Copper naphthenate, while less harmful to the environmental than creosote is extremely dangerous. Copper naphthenate may cause lung, skin and nerve damage. It also contaminates the groundwater and soil with benzene.

Benzene

A colorless liquid petroleum hydrocarbon benzene is used in manufacturing of resins, plastics nylon, synthetic fibers and other. It is also found in diesel fuels and exhaust. Virtually all railroad workers are exposed to diesel fumes on an ongoing basis. Benzene is a known carcinogen that has been linked with leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

There is no safe exposure to benzene. It can be inhaled or absorbs through the surface of the skin. cancer lawsuit settlements -term exposure to benzene may damage the blood, causing irregular menstrual flow, anemia and fertility issues. The chemical benzene has been linked to certain types of cancers which include lung and breast cancer.

Inhaling benzene is among the most hazardous. Inhaling benzene could cause headaches, dizziness and nosebleeds. Benzene can also interfere with the immune system, which could lead to infections.

Recent reports have revealed the high levels of benzene in the vicinity of two Chicago train stations. Commuters railroad workers as well as city residents were exposed to the high levels of pollution. Schools were closed for classes and cities asked residents to seek shelter. Railroad workers, such as car department employees and locomotive mechanics, electricians, and pipefitters use products that contain benzene like Safety-Kleen part washers, CRC Brakleen, as well as paints, thinners and other products. The chemical is also used in printing solvents.

Asbestos

The asbestos use in the railroad industry started early. Asbestos is made up of six silicate minerals that are naturally occurring with a fibrous structure. They were once used in construction due to their an anti-corrosion, fire retardant, and insulate qualities. Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause serious health issues like lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. These health conditions can take up to 30 years before symptoms appear.

The EPA has stopped asbestos mining and processing in the United States however, it is still present in many products. This includes various types of flooring felt, paper, and fake fireplace embers. When these materials are exposed either to water or heat they may release asbestos fibers. These fibers may also get into the air when buildings are destroyed or when homes are remodeled.

A recent study has found that even five years of exposure to benzene can significantly increase a person's risk for developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Consult your physician if you have symptoms such as night sweats or unexplained weight loss. They may perform a blood test to look for AML.

The EPA reached a settlement in a recent case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. GWRSI operates locomotives which emit nitrogen oxides as well as fine particulates (PM2.5) when they run on diesel fuel. This EPA settlement requires GWRSI to replace any of its current locomotives with new ones that meet EPA emission standards.

Diesel Exhaust

As 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 that includes carcinogens such benzene monoxide and formaldehyde. It also contains oxides of nitrogen particulate matter, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons.





In reality, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel exhaust as a class 1 carcinogen. Diesel exhaust can also cause respiratory ailments like chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) or bronchiectasis. An article published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2006 linked railroad worker employment to COPD rates.

Rail and locomotives emit diesel exhaust when they run and idle in roundhouses, depots yards and shops. The engines and machinery that are idling emit gasses in addition to the diesel fumes, which include sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

The smell of diesel exhaust is frequently visible in the cabs of locomotives where engineers and conductors sit for up to six hours at a time. When people enter or leave the cabins, the engines and equipment produce more exhaust fumes from diesel engines which can lead to lung cancer and railway cancer.

Moreover railroad mechanics are exposed to diesel exhaust in poorly ventilated roundhouses and shops. They work in enclosed areas with locomotives, track equipment and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.