Railroad Settlements and Asbestos

In 1862, Congress passed The Pacific railroad settlement mds Act. This act allowed for the funding of two transcontinental railway companies by granting large grants for rights of way. Railroad workers who contract cancer due to exposures at work can sue employers under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA).

A jury in Illinois has awarded $7.5 million to an ex- Union Pacific Trackman who died from acute myeloid leukemia. The man blamed his blood cancer on exposure to creosote benzene and other chemicals used to protect wooden railroad settlement myelodysplastic syndrome ties.

Creosote

Coal tar crosote is a wood preservative that is used to protect railroad ties from sun, heat, cold rain, and snow. Workers are exposed to harmful solvents and chemicals, such as benzene during the application of coal creosote tar. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen can cause leukemia as well as non-Hodgkin lymphoma as well as other serious effects like heartbeat and convulsions, liver damage, anemia, and cancers of the lungs and body.

Our lawyers have successfully defended several lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad Settlement Cll for exposure to coal-tar creosote. One of these cases culminated in the settlement of a $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track department employee who developed acute myeloid leukemia as a result of exposure to the chemical compound that is toxic during his employment for over 31 years. The jury found that railroad did not provide him with personal protective gear and exposed him of toxic chemicals that included coal-tar tar creosote as well as coal tar distillates.

Another claim was about the use of copper naphthenate as a substitute for creosote derived from coal. Copper naphthenate is less harmful to the environmental than creosote, is extremely hazardous. Copper naphthenate is a carcinogen and can cause nerve, skin and lung damage. It is also a source of contamination for the soil and groundwater with benzene.

Benzene

Benzene is a colorless, liquid petroleum hydrocarbon, is used to manufacture resins, plastics, and synthetic fibers. It can also be found in diesel fuels and exhaust. The majority of railroad workers are exposed to diesel fumes on a regular basis. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen, and has been linked to leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

There is no limit of exposure to benzene. It is absorbed through the skin and inhaled. Long-term exposure could damage the blood and cause different health issues, such as menstrual cycle irregularities, anemia and fertility problems. The chemical is also linked to certain types of cancers, such as breast and lung cancer.

Benzene is a substance that can be consumed orally however it is most dangersome when inhaled. Inhaling benzene could cause headaches, dizziness, or nosebleeds. The benzene fumes can also affect the immune system and cause infections.

A recent report highlighted the increased levels of benzene in the air near two Chicago train stations. Commuters and railroad employees were exposed to these pollutant levels, which caused schools to shut down classes and Railroad settlement cll cities to ask residents to take shelter. Railroad workers, like car department employees and locomotive mechanics, electricians and pipefitters utilize products containing benzene, such as Safety-Kleen part washers and CRC Brakleen as well as paints, thinners, and other products. The chemical is also used in printing solvents.

Asbestos

In the beginning asbestos was utilized in the railroad settlement rad industry. Asbestos consists of six silicate minerals naturally occurring with fibrous structure. They were once used in the construction industry due to their the ability to withstand corrosion, fire retardant, and insulate qualities. Inhaling these particles can cause serious health issues including lung cancer and asbestosis. These diseases can last 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 however it is utilized in a variety of products. This includes certain types of paper, flooring felt, and fake fireplace embers. However, when these products are exposed to water or heat they could release toxic asbestos fibers. The fibers can also be released into the air when buildings are being demolished or when homes are remodeled.

A recent study has found that even a five-year exposure to benzene significantly increases a person’s risk for developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Consult your physician if you notice symptoms like night sweats or an unprovoked weight loss. They can conduct tests on your blood to identify AML.

The EPA recently settled a case with Genesee & Wyoming railroad settlement rad Services Inc. (GWRSI). GWRSI operates locomotives that emit nitrogen oxides and fine particulates (PM2.5) when they operate on diesel fuel. This EPA settlement mandates that GWRSI replace any of its current locomotives with newer models that are compliant with EPA emissions standards.

Diesel Exhaust

As long as diesel fuel is used to power freight trains, railroad settlement non hodgkins lymphoma workers will remain exposed to exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a mixture of toxic chemicals which include carcinogens such as benzene, carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. It also contains nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and polyaromatic hydrocarbons.

In reality the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel exhaust as a group 1 carcinogen. Diesel exhaust may also cause respiratory illnesses such as chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) or bronchiectasis. A 2006 article published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad worker’s work and COPD rates.

Locomotive and rail cars belch diesel exhaust when they are running and idle in roundhouses and depots as well as shops and yards. When engines are running, they release gases such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxidants as well as diesel fumes.

Diesel exhaust fumes are frequently unnoticeable in locomotive cabins in which conductors and engineers are seated for at least six hours a day. When people enter or leave the cabins, the engines and equipment release more exhaust fumes from diesel engines that pose a risk for lung and cancer of the railway.

In roundhouses that are not well ventilated workshops, shops, and roundhouses railroad mechanics face a high level of exposure to diesel exhaust. They work in enclosed spaces with locomotives, track equipment and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.