Railroad Settlements and AsbestosIn 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. This act helped to fund two transcontinental railroad companies through large grants for 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 gave $7.5 million to an ex- Union Pacific Trackman who died of acute myeloid lymphoma. He blamed his blood cancer on massive exposure to creosote in the workplace and benzene. Both were used to preserve and waterproof railroad ties made of wooden.CreosoteCoal tar - a wood preserver, is used to protect railroad tie from heat, sun and cold, rain and snow. Workers are exposed chemicals and solvents, like benzene, in the process of applying of coal creosote that is tar. Benzene, a known carcinogen causes leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as in other serious side effects such as convulsions, heartbeat changes, liver damage, anemia, and cancers of the lungs and body.Our lawyers have successfully prosecuted several lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad involving coal-tar creosote exposure. One of these cases landed an award of $7,500,000. The plaintiff was a track staffer who contracted acute myeloidleukemia due to exposure to the chemical compound that is toxic in his work over 31 years. The jury found that the railroad did not provide any personal protective equipment, and exposed him to a variety of toxic chemicals such as coal-tar tar creosote as well as coal tar distillates.Another instance involved the use of copper naphthenate as substitute for creosote derived from coal. Although it is less harmful to the environment than creosote, can be extremely dangerous. Copper naphthenate is a cancer-causing agent and can cause skin, nerve and lung damage. It also contaminates soil and groundwater with benzene.BenzeneA colorless, liquid petroleum hydrocarbon, benzene is a component in the manufacturing of resins, plastics, nylon and synthetic fibers. It is also found in diesel fuel and exhaust. Nearly all railroad workers are exposed to diesel fumes on a daily basis. Benzene, a known carcinogen is linked to leukemia and the myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).There is no limit to the amount of exposure to benzene. It is taken in through the skin and inhaled. Long-term exposure could damage the blood and cause many different health issues, including anemia, irregular menstrual cycles and fertility problems. It has also been linked to certain types of cancer which include lung and breast cancer.Inhaling benzene is the most dangerous. Inhaling cancer lawsuit settlements could cause dizziness, headaches or nosebleeds. It can also disrupt the immune system, which could result in infections.A recent report highlighted the higher levels of benzene that were found in the air around two Chicago train stations. Commuters railroad workers as well as city residents were exposed to the high levels of pollution. Schools shut down classes and cities asked residents to take shelter. Railroad workers, including car department employees, locomotive machinists pipefitters and electricians, frequently employ benzene-containing goods such as Safety-Kleen parts washers and CRC Brakleen as well as thinners and paints. The chemical is also used in printing solvents.AsbestosThe use of asbestos in the railroad industry was discovered early. Asbestos is one of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that were extremely popular in construction due to their fire-retardant, fire-retardant, corrosion-resistant and insulate properties. Inhaling these fibers can cause serious health problems like lung cancer and asbestosis. Symptoms of these health conditions may take between 15 and 30 years to manifest.The EPA has banned the mining and processing of asbestos in this country However, asbestos is used in many of the products. This includes certain kinds of floor felt, paper, and fake fire embers. But, if these items are exposed to heat or water, they may release toxic asbestos fibers. These fibers may also be released into air during demolition or remodeling. Colon cancer lawsuit settlements revealed that just five years of exposure to benzene significantly increases the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Consult your doctor if you experience symptoms such as night sweats, or a sudden weight loss. They may perform tests on your blood to identify AML.The EPA resolved a recent case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. GWRSI operates locomotives that operate on diesel fuel and emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This EPA settlement requires GWRSI to replace any of its current locomotives with new ones that comply with EPA emission standards.Diesel ExhaustAs long diesel fuel continues to be used to power freight trains, railroad workers are exposed exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a dangerous mix of chemicals, including carcinogens such benzene and 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 Group 1 carcinogen. Diesel exhaust can also cause respiratory illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchiectasis. A 2006 article published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad worker's work and COPD rates.Locomotive and rail cars belch diesel exhaust when they run and are idling in roundhouses, depots, yards and shops. The idling engines and machinery emit gases in addition diesel fumes. These include sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.The smell of diesel exhaust is often visible in the cabs of locomotives where conductors and engineers sit for up to six hours at one time. The equipment and engine emit more diesel exhaust fumes as workers enter or leave the cabins. This could cause lung and cancerous conditions.In roundhouses with poor ventilation as well as workshops and shops, railroad mechanics face high levels of exposure to diesel exhaust. They work in enclosed spaces that contain track equipment, locomotives and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.