The Next Big Trend In The Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Industry

Railroad Settlements and Asbestos

In 1862, Congress passed the Pacific Railroad Act which helped to fund two transcontinental railroad companies by providing large grants of lands for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who develop cancers due to workplace exposures may sue their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

An Illinois jury handed down an $7.5 million verdict to an ex- Union Pacific trackman dying from acute myeloid leukemia. He blamed the cause of his blood cancer to 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 is a wood preservative used to protect railroad ties from sun, cold, heat rain, and snow. Workers are exposed to harmful solvents and chemicals, such as benzene, during the application of coal tar creosote. Benzene, a known carcinogen causes leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as well as other serious effects like heartbeat and convulsions, liver damage, anemia, and cancers of the lungs and the body.

Our attorneys have successfully prosecuted several lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad for exposure to coal-tar creosote. One of these cases resulted with a $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track department worker who developed acute myeloid leukemia as a result of exposure to the toxic chemical compound in his work over 31 years. The jury found that the railroad did not provide any personal protection equipment and frequently exposed him to a large number of harmful chemicals such as coal-tar creosote, coal tar distillates, carbolineum, naphtha and other cleaning solvents.

Another instance involved the use of copper naphthenate as alternative to coal tar creosote. Copper naphthenate is less harmful to the environment than creosote is extremely dangerous. Copper naphthenate is known to cause skin, lung and nerve damage. It also pollutes groundwater and soil with benzene.

Benzene

Benzene is a colorless liquid petroleum hydrocarbon, is used to manufacture plastics, resins and synthetic fibers. It is also found in diesel fuel and exhaust. Diesel fumes are inhaled regularly by virtually all railroad workers. Benzene is a known carcinogen that has been linked with leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

There is no safe level of exposure to benzene. It can be breathed in or absorption through the surface the skin. Exposure for long periods can harm the blood and cause many health problems, including menstrual irregularities, anemia and fertility problems. Benzene is also associated with certain types of cancers, including breast and lung cancer.

Inhaling benzene is the most hazardous. Inhaling benzene can cause dizziness, headaches nose bleedings, and loss of consciousness.  railroad union settlement  can also affect the immune system and trigger infections.

Recent reports have highlighted the high levels of benzene at two Chicago train station. Commuters and railroad workers were exposed to the high levels of pollution, which led to schools having to stop classes and cities to request residents to take shelter. Railroad workers, including car department employees and locomotive mechanics, electricians, and pipefitters use products that contain benzene like Safety-Kleen part washers CRC Brakleen as well as paints thinners, paints, and other products. Benzene can also be found in printing solvents.

Asbestos

Early on, asbestos was used in the railroad industry. Asbestos comprises six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that were once extremely popular in construction due to their fire retardant resistant, fire-retardant, corrosion resistant and insulate properties. Inhaling these fibers could lead to serious health issues including lung cancer and asbestosis. Symptoms of these health conditions may take between 15 and 30 years to show.

The EPA has prohibited asbestos mining and processing in the US However, asbestos is still found in a variety of products. This includes some types of flooring felt, paper, and fake fireplace embers. But, if these items are exposed to water or heat, they may release toxic asbestos fibers. These fibers may also get into the air when buildings are demolished or when homes are renovated.

A recent study revealed that even five years of exposure to benzene can significantly increase the chance of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Consult your doctor if you have symptoms such as night sweats or unexplained weight loss. They can perform tests on your blood to identify AML.

The EPA reached a settlement in a recent case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. GWRSI operates 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 existing locomotives with new ones that meet EPA emission standards.

Diesel Exhaust

As long diesel fuel is used to power railroads, freight trains will continue to be exposed to exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a dangerous mixture of chemicals, which includes carcinogens such benzene and carbon monoxide. It also contains nitrogen oxides particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel exhaust as Group 1 carcinogen. Diesel exhaust can also trigger respiratory diseases like chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) or bronchiectasis. An article published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2006 related the employment of railroad workers to COPD rates.

When locomotives and railcars are running and idling they emit diesel exhaust. 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 present in locomotive cabs, where conductors and engineers sit for up to six hours at one time. When workers enter or exit the cabins, the engines and equipment release more diesel exhaust fumes which can lead to railway cancer and pulmonary problems.

Furthermore railroad mechanics are exposed to diesel exhaust in roundhouses that are not ventilated and shops. They work with moving locomotives and track equipment in closed spaces that are often contaminated with inhalants like asbestos-insulated steam pipes and boilers and silica sand.