This History Behind Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Will Haunt You For The Rest Of Your Life!

Railroad Settlements and Asbestos

In 1862, Congress passed the Pacific Railroad Act, which provided funding for two transcontinental railroad companies by giving large grants of land for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who contract cancer due to exposure to work-related hazards can sue their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

A jury in Illinois awarded $7.5 million to a former Union Pacific Trackman who died of acute myeloid leukemia.  multiple myeloma caused by railroad how to get a settlement  blamed the cause of his blood cancer to massive exposure to creosote and benzene. Both were used to preserve and waterproof railroad ties made of wood.

Creosote

Coal tar creosote, the wood preserver used to shield railroad ties from heat, sun and cold, rain, and snow. Workers are exposed chemicals and solvents, like benzene during the application of coal creosote that is tar. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen and can cause leukemia, myelodysplastic disorder and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as with other serious side effects like convulsions, changes to your heartbeat, liver damage, anemia and bone marrow damages. cancer of the skin and lungs.

Our lawyers have successfully prosecuted multiple lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad for exposure to coal-tar creosote. One of these cases culminated with an $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track staffer who contracted acute myeloidleukemia due to exposure to the toxic chemical compound during his employment for over 31 years. The jury concluded that the railroad failed to provide any personal protective equipment. The plaintiff was frequently exposed him diverse range of toxic chemicals like coal-tar creosote, coal tar distillates, carbolineum, naphtha and other cleaning solvents.

Another instance involved the use of copper naphthenate as substitute for coal tar creosote. Copper naphthenate, although less harmful to the environment than creosote can still be extremely hazardous. Copper naphthenate has been identified as a carcinogen and can cause skin, nerve and lung 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 found in diesel fuel and exhaust. Diesel fumes are inhaled regularly by nearly all railroad workers. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen, and has been linked with leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

There is no limit to the amount of exposure to benzene. It is taken in through the skin and inhaled. Exposure for long periods can harm the blood and cause different health issues, including anemia, irregular menstrual cycles and fertility problems. It is also associated with certain types of cancers, including lung and breast cancer.

It is possible to inhale benzene orally but it is the most hazardous when inhaled. Inhaling benzene may cause headaches, dizziness, or nosebleeds. The benzene compound can also impair the immune system, which could result in infections.

A recent report has highlighted the high levels of benzene found in the air near two Chicago train stations. Commuters and railroad workers were exposed to these high levels of pollution which prompted schools to close classes and cities to require residents to take shelter. Railroad workers, such as car department employees, locomotive machinists, pipefitters and electricians regularly use benzene-containing products such as Safety-Kleen parts washers and CRC Brakleen as well as paints and thinners. It is also used as printing solvents.

Asbestos

At first asbestos was utilized in the railroad industry. Asbestos is one of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that were widely used in construction due to their fire retardant, fire-retardant, corrosion-resistant and insulate properties. Inhaling these tiny fibers could cause serious health issues such as lung cancer asbestosis and mesothelioma. The symptoms of these diseases may take between 15 and 30 years to show.

The EPA has been able to ban asbestos mining and processing in the United States however, it can be found in a variety of products. This includes certain kinds of paper, floor felt, and fake fire embers. However, if these materials are exposed to water or heat they can release toxic asbestos fibers. These fibers may also be released into air during demolition or remodeling.

A recent study showed that even a five-year exposure to benzene significantly increases the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Consult your doctor if you have symptoms such as night sweats or an unprovoked weight loss. They can perform the test of blood to check for AML.

The EPA settled a recent case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. GWRSI utilizes 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 more modern models that conform to EPA emission standards.

Diesel Exhaust

As long diesel fuel is used to power railroads, freight trains will continue to be exposed exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a harmful mix of chemicals that includes carcinogens like benzene and carbon monoxide. It also contains oxides of nitrogen particulate matter, 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 illnesses like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. A 2006 study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad worker's work and COPD rates.

Locomotive and rail cars belch diesel exhaust when they run and idle in depots, roundhouses, yards and shops. The engines that are idling emit gases, such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxidants in addition to diesel fumes.

The smell of diesel exhaust is often inescapable inside locomotive cabs, where conductors and engineers sit for up to six hours at the same time. When workers enter or exit the cabs, the engine and equipment produce more exhaust fumes from diesel engines, creating a hazard for respiratory cancers and other issues.

Furthermore railroad mechanics are exposed to diesel exhaust in poorly ventilated roundhouses and shops. They work in enclosed spaces with locomotives, track equipment and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.