Bladder Cancer and the Railroad Multiple Myeloma
If you’ve been diagnosed with bladder cancer which could be connected to your job at a railroad, a knowledgeable rail injury lawyer can assist you in seeking compensation. The FELA allows railroad workers to claim damages for intangible consequences which have a profound impact on their lives.
Every year the railroads of America transport 30 million passengers to their destinations. They also move 1.6 billion tonnes of freight that includes food and grain, crude oils, vehicles and lumber, chemicals, crushed stones and metal ore. Many of these jobs are associated with exposure to a significant amount of toxic substances.
Toxic Chemicals in the Workplace
All jobs involve a degree of risk. It’s up to the prospective employee to decide if that risk is worth it. Railroad Aml workers are exposed to more dangers than they think when they choose to pursue a career in the industry.
The railroad bladder cancer has been linked to a range of toxic chemicals, especially those found in diesel exhaust and welding fumes. Lead, a major carcinogen, poses a common threat for welding. When inhaled, lead can cause a wide range of health issues including kidney disease, cancer and a weak immune system. Welders can also be exposed to manganese fumes, which can lead to lung disease and toxic encephalopathy a neurological condition that causes symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease.
Additionally, the exhaust from diesel contains a host of carcinogens that can cause diseases such as COPD and lung cancer. Railroad Aml workers who are diagnosed with occupational diseases are entitled to compensation under FELA, regardless of their type of work.
A dedicated railroad cancer lawyer can help former rail workers know their rights and seek fair compensation to cover ongoing medical costs and other expenses. Patients may require treatment for the remainder of their lives, which can lead to costly hospital bills and prescriptions. A lawyer who is qualified can work with the physician of the patient to determine the best treatment for their particular circumstances. This allows them to concentrate on their healing while their lawyer secures your future.
Benzene
Benzene was banned in its pure form in the past 20 years, however, it is still present in degreasers and solvents utilized by Railroad Interstitial Lung Disease workers. It is a by-product of diesel exhaust, and can be absorbed via the skin. The International Agency for Research on Cancer lists benzene as carcinogen. It has been linked to leukemia, acute myeloidleukemia (AML) chronic lymphocytic lesions, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma and other blood cancers. Anemia can result from benzene poisoning and affect the immune system, which can lead to autoimmune diseases.
Several studies have linked work-related exposure to benzene as well as other chemicals with bladder cancer. Other contaminants can increase the likelihood for developing this disease such as welding fumes and vapors containing metals like manganese and magnesium. These metals are essential in small amounts, but they can be toxic if breathed in high levels. Creosote is a preserver for wood used on Railroad Mds ties, which releases toxic fumes. These fumes have been linked with cancers, including bladder and lung cancer.
The exposure to benzene can happen through ingestion, skin and contact with the eyes, or breathing in the chemical. It can also happen when a person drinks unclean water. Residents of the Northeast Millair area in Wichita, for example, suffered from higher than normal rates of cancer in the liver due to benzene’s contaminating the groundwater.
Welding Fumes
The fumes produced by welding can be a mixture of gases and fine particles created through welding processes such as resistance, arc or laser welding. They may contain harmful substances to health such as carbon dioxide, argon nickel, chromium, manganese iron oxide, nitric acid, and hydrogen fluoride. The composition of welding fumes depends on the type and coatings of the plate that is used as a base as well as the shielding gas. These gases and fine particle are irritating to the lungs, causing them to narrow and alter.
These changes can lead to respiratory obstruction, including emphysema. Welding fumes also cause siderosis which is the accumulation of iron in the lung. Hexavalentchromium, present in welding fumes, can cause lung cancer. Exposure to manganese, on the other hand, can damage the nervous system and cause coordination problems and tremors.
Welding fumes can cause cancer and the World Health Organization has classified it as a Group 2 carcinogen. Exposure to welding fumes may cause metal fumes to become sick which can be characterized by flu-like symptoms such as fatigue weakening, chills and fatigue. It can also leave a metallic taste or smell in the mouth. The condition can be prevented by decreasing the amperage of welding and employing gas shielding. This can be achieved by using the fume extraction fan to disperse welding fumes from workers or standing in front of the work piece where it is feasible.
Diesel Exhaust
A railroad worker might be exposed to diesel exhaust as a result of their job in machine shops or train yards. This exhaust is thought to be an agent that causes cancer. Inhalation of diesel fumes can also increase the likelihood of developing lung cancer.
In laboratory tests on cells exposure to exhaust from diesel engines has been shown to cause DNA changes that are often needed for cancer to develop. However, these tests are difficult to do in humans, and it can be difficult to determine what amount of exposure is sufficient to cause the risk.
In addition the exhaust fumes from diesel engines are also known to contain additional substances that can be harmful if inhaled. These include volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde and oxides of nitrogen. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has recently classified diesel exhaust into group 1 carcinogens based on evidence of lung cancer causing. This is an improvement from its 1988 classification as probably carcinogenic for humans.
Additionally exposure to creosote, a smoky coal dust, can pose a threat for railroad bladder cancer railroad workers who carry out certain tasks. Creosote is a thick, oily, smoky liquid used to treat railroad timbers, is a known carcinogen. It is a carcinogen that can be breathed in when people clean railroad tracks or treat railroad ties. Exposure to this chemical could lead to lung and bladder cancer.