Railroad Settlements and Asbestos
In 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. The act aids in the financing of two transcontinental railway companies by providing large grants for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who develop cancer as a result of exposure to their workplaces are able to sue their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
A jury in Illinois gave $7.5 million to an ex- Union Pacific Trackman who died of acute myeloid Leukemia. The man blamed the cause of his blood cancer to massive exposure to creosote in the workplace and benzene. These chemicals were used to preserve and waterproof railroad ties made of wooden.
Creosote
Coal tar creosote can be described as a wood preservative that is used to protect railroad ties from sun, heat, cold rain, and snow. When applying coal tar creosote, workers are exposed to a variety of toxic chemicals and solvents including benzene. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen, and can cause leukemia, myelodysplastic disorder and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as well other serious side effects such as convulsions, changes to your heartbeat, liver damage, anemia and bone marrow damages. cancer of the skin and lungs.
Our lawyers have successfully prosecuted several lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad for exposure to coal-tar creosote. One of these cases landed the settlement of $7,500,000. The plaintiff was a track department worker who developed acute myeloidleukemia as a result of exposure to the chemical compound that is toxic during his work for 31 years. The jury found that the railroad did not provide him with personal protective gear and exposed him to a wide range of toxic chemicals such as coal-tar tar creosote, as well as coal distillates.
Another case involved the use of copper naphthenate substitute for creosote derived from coal. Although it is less harmful to the environment than creosote, can be extremely hazardous. Copper naphthenate is a cancer-causing agent and can cause nerve, skin and lung damage. It also contaminates the soil and groundwater with benzene.
Benzene
A colorless, liquid petroleum hydrocarbon, benzene is a component in the manufacture of plastics, resins, nylon and synthetic fibers. It is also present in diesel fuel and exhaust. Diesel fumes are frequently inhaled by nearly all railroad workers. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen that has been linked to leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
There is no limit of exposure to benzene. It can be inhaled or absorption through the surface the skin. Long-term exposure could damage the blood and cause various health issues, including menstrual cycle irregularities, anemia and fertility problems. Benzene has also been linked to certain types of cancer including lung and breast cancer.
Benzene can be ingested orally, but it is most dangerous when breathed. Inhaling benzene may cause headaches, dizziness nose bleeds, headaches, and loss of consciousness. Benzene can also affect the immune system and trigger infections.
Recent reports have highlighted the elevated levels benzene near two Chicago train station. Commuters and railroad workers were exposed to these excessive levels of pollution, which prompted schools to close classes, and cities to instruct residents to take shelter. Railroad workers, such as car department employees, locomotive machinists pipefitters and electricians, frequently make use of benzene-containing items such as Safety-Kleen parts washers, CRC Brakleen as well as paints and thinners. It is also found in printing solvents.
Asbestos
The asbestos use in the railroad industry was discovered in the early days. Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals which were once extremely popular in construction due to their fire retardant resistant, fire-retardant, corrosion resistant and insulate properties. Inhaling these fibers can cause serious health issues such as lung cancer and asbestosis. These health conditions can take up to 30 years before symptoms begin to manifest.
The EPA has been able to ban the mining and processing of asbestos in the United States, but it is still utilized in a variety of products. This includes certain types of paper, floor felt, and fake fire embers. However, when these products are exposed to water or heat they can release toxic asbestos fibers. They can also be released into the air when buildings are being demolished or when homes are remodeled.
A recent study found that even five years of exposure to benzene significantly increases the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). If you are suffering from symptoms such as night sweats, unprovoked weight loss, or a decrease in appetite or loss of appetite, seek out your doctor immediately. They can conduct a blood test to detect AML.
The EPA recently resolved a case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. ( railroad injury settlement amounts ). 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 comply with EPA emission standards.
Diesel Exhaust
As long diesel fuel is used to power railroad workers, they will remain exposed to exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a cocktail of harmful chemicals that include carcinogens like benzene and carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. It also includes particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel exhaust as a group 1 carcinogen. Moreover, diesel exhaust is a cause of respiratory illnesses in the form of bronchiopulmonary illnesses such as chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. A 2006 article published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad workers' employment to COPD rates.
Rail cars and locomotives emit diesel exhaust when they run and are idling in roundhouses, depots yards and shops. Engines that are idle emit gases, like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, in addition to diesel fumes.
The smell of diesel exhaust is usually inescapable inside locomotive cabs, where conductors and engineers are seated for up to six hours at a time. When workers enter or exit the cabs, the engine and equipment emit more diesel exhaust fumes and pose a risk to lung and cancer of the railway.
Furthermore railroad mechanics are also exposed to diesel exhaust in roundhouses that are not ventilated and shops. They work with locomotives and track equipment in closed spaces that can produce dangerous inhalants, like asbestos-insulated steam boilers and steam pipes and silica sand.