Railroad Settlements and AsbestosIn 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. This act aids in the financing of two transcontinental railway companies by granting large grants for rights of way. Railroad workers who contract cancer due to exposure in the workplace may file lawsuits against their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).A jury in Illinois gave $7.5 million to a former Union Pacific Trackman who died of acute myeloid Leukemia. The judge blamed the blood-cancer on exposure to creosote benzene and other chemicals used to protect wooden railroad ties.CreosoteCoal tar creosote, a wood preserver, is used to shield railroad tie from heat, sun and cold, rain and snow. When applying coal tar creosote, workers are exposed to a wide variety of toxic chemicals and solvents, including benzene. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen that can cause myelodysplastic syndrome, leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lupus as well with other serious side effects like convulsions, changes to your heartbeat, liver damage anemia and bone marrow damages. cancer of the skin and lungs.Our attorneys have successfully prosecuted several lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad involving coal-tar creosote exposure. One of these cases ended with the settlement of a $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track employee was diagnosed with acute myeloid cancer as a result exposure to toxic chemical compounds on the job for 31 years. The jury determined that the railroad did not provide him with personal protective equipment, and exposed him to a wide range of toxic chemicals including coal-tar-tar creosote and coal tar distillates.Another argument was the use of copper naphthalenate as a replacement for creosote derived from coal. Although copper naphthenate is less damaging to the environment than creosote it can nevertheless be extremely hazardous. Copper naphthenate has been identified as a carcinogen and can cause skin, nerve and lung damage. It also pollutes groundwater and soil with benzene.BenzeneBenzene is a colorless, liquid petroleum hydrocarbon that is used to make plastics, resins and synthetic fibers. It is also used in diesel fuel and exhaust. Virtually all railroad workers are exposed to diesel fumes on a daily basis. Benzene is a carcinogen that is well-known is linked to leukemia and the myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).There is no limit to the amount of exposure to benzene. It can be breathed in or absorbed through the surface of the skin. Exposure for long periods can harm the blood supply and trigger different health issues, such as anemia, irregular menstrual cycles and fertility issues. It has also been linked to certain types of cancers such as lung and breast cancer.Benzene can be ingested orally, but it is most hazardous when inhaled. Inhaling benzene may cause dizziness, headaches nose bleedings, and loss of consciousness. Benzene can also affect the immune system and trigger infections.Recent reports have revealed the high levels of benzene in the vicinity of two Chicago train station. Commuters and railroad workers were exposed to these pollutant levels, which led to schools having to stop classes and cities to request residents to take shelter. Mesothelioma settlement , which includes car department employees, locomotive machinists pipefitters and electricians, often utilize benzene-containing products, such as Safety-Kleen parts washers as well as CRC Brakleen as well as paints and thinners. The chemical is also used in printing solvents.AsbestosAs early as the 1800s, asbestos was used in the railroad industry. Asbestos is one of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals which were once extremely popular in construction due to their fire retardant, fire-retardant, corrosion-resistant and insulate properties. Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause serious health problems such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. These diseases can last up to 30 years before symptoms begin to manifest.The EPA has been able to ban asbestos mining and processing in the United States However, asbestos is still found in many products. This includes certain types of flooring felt, paper, and fake fireplace embers. However, when these materials are exposed to water or heat they can release toxic asbestos fibers. These fibers could also be released into the air during demolition or renovations.A recent study has found that just five years of exposure to benzene can significantly increase the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Contact your doctor if notice symptoms like night sweats, or a sudden weight loss. They can perform a blood test to check 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 mandates that GWRSI replace any of its locomotives with more modern models that are compliant with EPA emissions standards.Diesel ExhaustAs long as diesel fuel continues to be used to power freight train railroad workers are exposed exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a cocktail of toxic chemicals that includes carcinogens such benzene monoxide and formaldehyde. It also contains oxides of nitrogen particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons.The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel exhaust as a Group 1 carcinogen. Moreover, diesel exhaust is an underlying cause of respiratory disease in the form of bronchiopulmonary disorders like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. A 2006 study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad worker employment and COPD rates.When railroad cars and locomotives are running and idling, they emit diesel exhaust. The engines and machinery that are idling emit gases in addition to diesel fumes, including nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.Diesel exhaust fumes can be unnoticeable in locomotive cabins in which conductors and engineers are seated for at least six hours a day. When employees enter or exit the cabins, the engines and equipment emit more diesel exhaust fumes, creating a hazard for lung and cancer of the railway.Moreover railroad mechanics are also exposed to diesel exhaust in poorly ventilated roundhouses and shops. They work in enclosed spaces equipped with track equipment, locomotives and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.