Railroad Settlements and Asbestos
In 1862, Congress passed the Pacific Railroad Act which helped to fund two transcontinental railroad companies through providing large grants of lands for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who contract cancer because of workplace exposures can sue their employers under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA).
An Illinois jury has handed down a $7.5 million verdict to a former Union Pacific trackman dying from acute myeloid leukemia. The man blamed the cause of his blood cancer to massive exposure to creosote in the workplace and benzene, which were used to preserve and waterproof railroad ties made of wood.
Creosote
Coal tar creosote, a wood preserver, can be used to protect railroad tie from heat, sun and cold, rain and snow. In the process of applying coal tar creosote workers are exposed to a range of toxic chemicals and solvents including benzene. Benzene, a known carcinogen causes leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, as as other serious effects like heartbeat fluctuations, convulsions, liver damage, anemia and cancers of the lungs and the body.
Our lawyers have successfully defended numerous lawsuits against the Union Pacific Railroad involving coal-tar creosote exposure. One of these cases ended in a $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track employee suffered from acute myeloid carcinoma as a result exposure to toxic chemical compounds 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 to a broad range of harmful chemicals such as coal-tar creosote, coal distillates, naphtha, carbolineum and other cleaning solvents.
Another claim was about the use of copper naphthenate an alternative to coal tar creosote. Although copper naphthenate may be less environmentally harmful than creosote it can nevertheless be extremely hazardous. Copper naphthenate is known to cause lung, skin and nerve damage. It also can contaminate groundwater and soil with benzene.
Benzene
Benzene is a colorless, liquid petroleum hydrocarbon that is used to create resins, plastics and synthetic fibers. It is also used in diesel fuels and exhaust. cancer settlements are exposed to diesel fumes on an ongoing basis. Benzene is a known carcinogen that has been linked to leukemia as well as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
There is no safe level of exposure to benzene. It can be breathed in or absorbed through the surface of the skin. Long-term exposure can damage the bloodstream and cause different health issues, such as anemia, irregular menstrual cycles and fertility problems. It has also been linked to certain types of cancer including lung and breast cancer.
It is possible to inhale benzene orally however it is more hazardous when inhaled. Inhaling benzene can cause headaches, dizziness, or nosebleeds. It can also disrupt the immune system, which could result in infections.
Recent reports have revealed the high levels of benzene at two Chicago train station. Commuters railroad workers as well as city residents were exposed to high levels of pollution. Schools closed classes, and cities urged residents to stay in their homes. Railroad workers, including car department employees as well as locomotive mechanics, electricians and pipefitters work with products containing benzene, such as Safety-Kleen part washers and CRC Brakleen as well as paints, thinners and other items. The chemical is also used in printing solvents.
csx settlement of asbestos in the railroad industry began in the early days. Asbestos consists of six naturally occurring silicate minerals with a fibrous structure. They were once utilized in the construction industry due to their an anti-corrosion, fire retardant, and insulate qualities. Inhaling these microscopic fibers can cause serious health issues such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. The signs of these health conditions can take anywhere from 15 to 30 years before they show up.
The EPA has prohibited asbestos mining and processing in the US, but it still appears in a number of products. This includes certain types of floor felt, paper and fake fire embers. When these materials are exposed either to water or heat they may release asbestos fibers. They can also be released into the air when buildings are demolished or when homes are being renovated.
A recent study has discovered that exposure to benzene for just five years significantly increases the likelihood of developing acute myeloid tumor (AML). Consult your physician if you notice symptoms like night sweats, or a sudden weight loss. They can do tests on your blood to identify AML.
cancer settlements settled a case with Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. (GWRSI). GWRSI uses locomotives that operate on diesel fuel and emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This EPA settlement requires that GWRSI replace any of its locomotives with newer models that are compliant with EPA emissions standards.
Diesel Exhaust
As long diesel fuel continues to be used to power freight train railroad workers are exposed to exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a mixture of toxic chemicals, which include carcinogens like benzene, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. It also contains oxides of nitrogen as well as particulate matter and polyaromatic hydrocarbons.
In fact the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel exhaust as a class 1 carcinogen. Additionally, diesel exhaust is a cause of respiratory illnesses in the form of bronchiopulmonary disorders such as chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. An article published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2006 linked railroad worker employment to COPD rates.
Locomotive and rail cars belch diesel exhaust when they run and idle in roundhouses, depots yards and shops. When engines are running, they release gases such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in addition to diesel fumes.
Diesel exhaust fumes are often similar to those in locomotive cabs where conductors and engineers work up to six hours each day. The equipment and the engine emit more exhaust fumes from diesel engines as workers enter or leave the cabins. This can lead to pulmonary and cancerous ailments.
Additionally, railroad mechanics are heavily exposed to diesel exhausts in poorly ventilated roundhouses and shops. They work with running locomotives and track equipment in enclosed spaces that are often contaminated with inhalants like asbestos-insulated steam pipes and boilers and silica sand.