Why Is Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia So Famous

Railroad Settlements and Asbestos

In 1862, Congress passed the Pacific Railroad Act which helped fund two transcontinental railroad companies through the granting of large amounts of lands for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who develop cancers because of exposure to work-related hazards could sue their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

A jury in Illinois has awarded $7.5 million to a former Union Pacific Trackman who died from acute myeloid leukemia. He blamed his blood cancer on a massive exposure to creosote in the workplace and benzene, which were used to protect and waterproof railroad ties made of wooden.

Creosote

Coal tar Creosote, a wood preserver, is used to shield railroad ties from heat, sun and cold, rain, and snow. When applying coal tar creosote workers are exposed to a range of toxic chemicals and solvents, including benzene. Benzene, a known carcinogen, can cause leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma as well as other serious effects like heartbeat changes, convulsions liver damage, anemia, and cancers of the lungs and body.

railroad settlement have successfully prosecuted numerous lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad for exposure to coal-tar creosote. One of these cases landed a $7,500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track employee was diagnosed with acute myeloid cancer due to exposure harmful chemical compounds on the job for over 31 years. The jury found that the railroad did not provide him with personal protective gear, and exposed him to a variety of toxic chemicals that included coal-tar tar creosote and coal distillates.

Another claim involved the use of copper naphthenate as alternative to creosote derived from coal. While copper naphthenate isn't as damaging to the environment than creosote, it can nevertheless be extremely dangerous. Copper naphthenate is a carcinogen and can cause nerve, skin and lung damage. It can also contaminate the groundwater and soil with benzene.

Benzene

A colorless liquid petroleum hydrocarbon, benzene is used in the production of resins, plastics, nylon and synthetic fibers. It can also be found in diesel fuels and exhaust. Virtually all railroad workers are exposed to diesel fumes on a daily basis. Benzene is a known carcinogen, has been linked with leukemia and myelodysplastic disorder (MDS).





There is no safe exposure level to benzene. railroad settlement can be inhaled or absorption through the surface the skin. Long-term exposure to the benzene compound can harm blood vessels, causing anemia, irregular periods, and fertility issues. Benzene has also been linked to certain types of cancers including lung and breast cancer.

Inhaling benzene inhalation is the most dangerous. Inhaling benzene may cause headaches, dizziness or nosebleeds. Benzene can also interfere with the immune system, which could cause infections.

A recent report revealed the higher levels of benzene that were found in the air near two Chicago train stations. Commuters railroad workers as well as city residents were exposed to high levels of pollution. Schools were closed for classes and cities demanded residents to take shelter. Railroad workers, such as car department employees, locomotive machinists pipefitters and electricians, frequently employ benzene-containing goods such as Safety-Kleen parts washers and Brakleen as well as thinners and paints. The chemical is also used in printing solvents.

Asbestos

As early as the 1800s asbestos was utilized in the railroad industry. Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals which were once extremely popular in construction due to their fire retardant corrosion-resistant, fire-retardant, and insulate properties. Inhaling these fibers can lead to serious health issues like lung cancer and asbestosis. These health conditions can take up to 30 years before symptoms are evident.

The EPA has been able to ban the mining and processing of asbestos in the United States, but it is still used in a variety of products. This includes certain kinds of flooring felt, paper and fake fireplace embers. When these materials are exposed to water or heat, they can release asbestos fibers. million settlement could also be released into air during demolition or home remodeling.

A recent study has found that just five years of exposure to benzene significantly increases the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Contact your doctor if are experiencing symptoms such as sleepiness, night sweats, or unprovoked weight loss. They can perform an examination of your blood to look for AML.

The EPA reached a settlement in a recent case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. GWRSI employs 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.

csx settlement

As long as diesel fuel is used to power railroads, workers will remain exposed to exhaust. cancer settlements is a poisonous mix of chemicals, including carcinogens like benzene and carbon monoxide. It also contains nitrogen oxides particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons.

In reality, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel exhaust as a Class 1 carcinogen. Furthermore, diesel exhaust is an underlying cause of respiratory disease in the form of bronchiopulmonary illnesses like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. A 2006 article published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad workers' employment to COPD rates.

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

Diesel exhaust fumes can be similar to those in locomotive cabs where engineers and conductors spend up to six hours each day. The equipment and the engine emit more diesel exhaust fumes when workers enter and leave the cabins. This could cause lung and cancerous issues.

Moreover, railroad mechanics are heavily exposed to diesel exhaust in roundhouses that are not ventilated and shops. They are exposed to running locomotives and track equipment in enclosed spaces that frequently produce harmful inhalants, such as asbestos-insulated steam pipes and boilers and silica sand.