million settlement , Butadiene, and Other Carcinogens on the RailroadMany railroad employees are exposed to benzene butadiene and other carcinogens during the job. If you have developed a serious illness, such as leukemia for instance, you may be entitled to compensation.Leukemias can develop in lymphatic tissues or bone marrow. CLL (chronic lymphocytic Leukemia) is one of the four major forms of adult leukemia.BenzeneThe chemical Benzene can be absorbed or inhaled through the skin. It is a basic by-product of oil that is used to create plastics, nylons, and synthetic fibers. It is also used in lubricants dyes paints, detergents pesticides, and other drugs. It is a carcinogen that can cause leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic diseases and lymphomas.Railroad workers are exposed benzene by using mineral spirits, solvents, and degreasers. They are also exposed to diesel fuel and exhaust fumes when working on locomotives, freight cars and other rail equipment. Due to this exposure, railroad workers are at a greater chance of developing chronic leukemia.Numerous epidemiologic studies have proven that exposure to benzene increases the risk of developing leukemia. A meta-analysis of 22 studies provided summary estimates of the effect of benzene on AML and Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia(ALL) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia(CLL).The meta-analysis reveals that exposure to occupational benzene increases the chance of developing these leukemias. However the results for AML and CLL were less favourable than those for ALL. This could be due to the lower rate of reporting for these subgroups but also due to the lack of dose-response with increasing exposures. The meta-analysis did not find any evidence of bias in the publication.AsbestosAsbestos, a fibrous mineral has been used to create a variety of industrial products. Its resistance to fire, heat and corrosion makes it an ideal material for railroad locomotives as well as other equipment. Asbestos poses a risk to workers who handle it. When asbestos fibers are exposed they can break down into tiny strands, which then become airborne. When inhaled, they can become lodged in the lung. million settlement can cause a variety of serious illnesses, such as mesothelioma.Asbestos fibers can irritate the lung lining when they enter the lungs. This irritation can lead to an increase in collagen that hardens over time and creates plaques called pleural. This condition can lead to chest pain and difficulty breathing.Another type of lung damage resulting from asbestos exposure is fibrosis which results in scar tissue that interferes with a person's ability to breathe. If left untreated the condition can become fatal.If you are a railroad employee who was diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition then seek out an FELA attorney as soon as you can. A mesothelioma lawyer can assist you file a claim for compensation. To win a compensation claim you must prove that exposure to toxic substances while working resulted in your illness. FELA attorneys often collaborate with industrial safety specialists known as industrial hygienists to look over the materials in the railroad workplace and determine if the railroad was following the correct occupational safety practices.Diesel ExhaustRailroad workers are often exposed to carcinogenic substances and fumes on the job, including diesel exhaust. Frequent exposure to diesel exhaust has been linked to lung cancer as well as other serious occupational diseases in railroad workers, such as mesothelioma, pulmonary fibrosis and others. Inhaling the exhaust of engines and particulates can cause long-term health problems that may be difficult to treat. cancer settlements operate on diesel fuel and the cab of the locomotive is a closed space with limited ventilation. Railroad workers can be exposed to diesel exhaust by breathing it in the cab, and by being able to drag it back over them and their clothes after they leave the cab. Railroad workers working in shops and yards can also be exposed to diesel exhaust, because they often come into contact with train and locomotive equipment.Diesel exhaust contains mutagenic as well as cancerous compounds that can enter the bloodstream. These chemicals can alter the bone marrow and blood and cause damage to the respiratory tract. In a study that tracked dozens of workers who were repeatedly exposed to diesel exhaust, researchers found that those with the longest exposure time experienced the highest risk of lung cancer.Even after adjusting for smoking and other causes, lung cancer mortality was significantly higher in railroad workers exposed to diesel emissions. The Lyon Firm is investigating claims from railroad workers who claim to have been ill from exposure to diesel exhaust and other industrial toxic substances.