10 Quick Tips For 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 due to exposure to work-related hazards can sue their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

A jury in Illinois awarded $7.5 million to an ex- Union Pacific Trackman who died of acute myeloid lymphoma. railroad lawsuit settlements blamed the cause of his blood cancer to massive exposure to creosote at work and benzene, which were used to preserve and waterproof wooden railroad ties.

Creosote

Coal tar Creosote, an organic wood preserver, is used to protect railroad tie from heat, sun and cold, rain, and snow. When applying coal tar creosote workers are exposed to a wide range of toxic chemicals as well as solvents, including benzene. Benzene is a known carcinogen and is known to cause leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and non-Hodgkin's lupus as well in other serious adverse consequences like convulsions changes in your heartbeat, liver damage anemia and bone marrow damage. cancer of the lungs and skin.

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 department employee suffered from acute myeloid carcinoma due to exposure chemicals that were toxic on the job for over 31 years. The jury concluded that the railroad did not provide any personal protective equipment. The plaintiff was regularly exposed him diverse range of toxic chemicals including coal-tar creosote as well as coal tar distillates, carbolineum and naphtha and other cleaning solvents.

Another argument was the use of copper naphthalenate as an alternative to creosote from coal tar. Copper naphthenate is less harmful to the environment than creosote, can be very dangerous. Copper naphthenate has been identified as a carcinogen and can cause skin, nerve and lung damage. railroad lawsuit settlements pollutes soil and groundwater with benzene.

Benzene

Benzene is a colorless petroleum hydrocarbon that is used to make plastics, resins and synthetic fibers. It is also present in diesel fuel and exhaust. railroad lawsuit settlements are commonly inhaled by the majority of railroad workers. Benzene is a known carcinogen, and has been linked to leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).





There is no limit of exposure to benzene. It can be inhaled or absorbs through the surface of the skin. Long-term exposure to it can damage the blood and cause various health issues, including anemia, irregular menstrual cycles and fertility problems. Benzene has also been linked to certain types of cancers which include lung and breast cancer.

It is possible to inhale benzene orally however it is more dangersome when inhaled. Inhaling benzene can cause headaches, dizziness, nose bleeds and loss of consciousness. Benzene can also affect the immune system and cause infections.

Recent reports have highlighted the high levels of benzene in the vicinity of two Chicago train stations. Commuters and railroad employees were exposed to these high levels of pollution, that led to schools closing classes and cities to require residents to shelter-in-place. Railroad workers, like car department employees and locomotive mechanics, electricians and pipefitters work with products that contain benzene like Safety-Kleen part washers and CRC Brakleen and paints, thinners and other products. The chemical is also used in printing solvents.

Asbestos

As early as the 1800s asbestos was employed in the railroad industry. Asbestos is a class of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals which were once very popular in construction for their fire retardant, fire-retardant, corrosion-resistant and insulate properties. Inhaling these particles can lead to serious health issues such as lung cancer or asbestosis. The symptoms of these diseases can take 15 to 30 years before they show up.

The EPA has prohibited the mining and processing of asbestos in this country however, it is used in many of the products. This includes certain types of flooring felt, paper and fake fireplace embers. However, when these products are exposed to heat or water they could release toxic asbestos fibers. They could also be released into air during demolition or renovations.

A recent study has found that exposure to benzene for only five years significantly increases the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Talk to your doctor if you have symptoms such as night sweats, or a sudden weight loss. They may perform tests on your blood to test for AML.

The EPA recently resolved a case against 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 current locomotives with new ones that meet EPA emission standards.

Diesel Exhaust

As long diesel fuel is used to power railroads, freight trains will remain exposed to exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a cocktail of harmful chemicals that include carcinogens like benzene, carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. It also contains oxides of nitrogen as well as particulate matter and polyaromatic hydrocarbons.

In reality, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel exhaust as a Group 1 carcinogen. Diesel exhaust is also a cause of respiratory illnesses like chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) or bronchiectasis. A 2006 study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad worker's work and COPD rates.

When railroad cars and locomotives are running and idle, they emit diesel exhaust. The machines and engines that are idle emit gases in addition to diesel fumes. These include sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

Diesel exhaust fumes are usually unnoticeable in locomotive cabins in which conductors and engineers are seated for up to six hours a day. When employees enter or exit the cabs, the engine and equipment produce more diesel exhaust fumes which can lead to respiratory cancers and other issues.

In roundhouses with poor ventilation, shops and workshops railroad mechanics face an extreme risk of exposure to diesel exhaust. They work with moving locomotives and track equipment in closed areas that often produce harmful inhalants, like asbestos-insulated steam pipes and boilers and silica sand.