Railroad Settlements and Asbestos
In 1862, Congress passed the Pacific Railroad Act which helped to fund two transcontinental railroad companies by granting large grants of lands for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who develop cancer as a result of workplace exposures can sue their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
railroad injury settlement amounts in Illinois awarded $7.5 million to an ex- Union Pacific Trackman who died from acute myeloid leukemia. The man blamed his blood cancer on extensive workplace exposures to creosote and benzene, both of which were used to preserve and waterproof railroad ties made of wooden.
Creosote
Coal tar Creosote, a wood preserver, can be used to protect railroad tie from heat, sun and cold, rain, and snow. In the process of applying coal tar creosote workers are exposed to a range of toxic chemicals as well as solvents, including benzene. Benzene is a known carcinogen and can cause leukemia, myelodysplastic disease and non-Hodgkin's lupus as well in other serious adverse effects such as convulsions, changes in your heartbeat, liver damage anemia, bone marrow damage and cancer of the lungs and skin.
Our lawyers have successfully prosecuted numerous lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad for exposure to coal-tar creosote. One of these cases ended with an $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff, a track department worker suffered from acute myeloid carcinoma due to exposure to toxic chemical compounds on the job for over 31 years. The jury found that the railroad failed to provide any personal protection equipment and frequently exposed him to a wide variety of toxic chemicals, including coal-tar creosote as well as coal tar distillates, carbolineum, naphtha and other cleaning solvents.
Another case involved the use of copper naphthenate as an alternative to coal tar creosote. Copper naphthenate is less harmful to the environment than creosote, can be very dangerous. Copper naphthenate may cause lung, skin and nerve injury to the nerves, skin and lung. It also pollutes 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 an ongoing basis. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen, has been linked with leukemia as well as the myelodysplastic disease (MDS).
There is no limit to the amount of exposure to benzene. It is absorbed through the skin and inhaled. Long-term exposure could damage the blood supply and trigger different health issues, including menstrual irregularities, anemia and fertility problems. Benzene has also been linked to certain types of cancers, including breast and lung cancer.
Benzene is a substance that can be consumed orally but it is the 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.
A recent report has highlighted the increased levels of benzene in the air around two Chicago train stations. Commuters and railroad workers were exposed to these high levels of pollution which led to schools having to stop classes and cities to ask residents to stay in shelters. Railroad workers, which includes car department employees, locomotive machinists pipefitters and electricians, frequently make use of benzene-containing items like Safety-Kleen parts washers and CRC Brakleen as well as paints and thinners. Also, benzene is used in printing solvents.
Asbestos
The asbestos use in the railroad industry began early. Asbestos is composed of six silicate minerals that are naturally occurring with fibrous structure. They were once utilized in construction because they had the ability to withstand corrosion, fire retardant and insulate characteristics. Inhaling these tiny fibers could cause serious health issues like lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. Symptoms of these health conditions can take anywhere from 15 to 30 years to show.
The EPA has been able to ban 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. When these materials are exposed either to water or heat they could release asbestos fibers. They could also be released into the air during demolition or home remodeling.
A recent study has discovered that exposure to benzene for just five years significantly increases the likelihood of developing acute myeloid lymphoma (AML). Consult your doctor if you have symptoms such as night sweats, or a sudden weight loss. They can conduct tests on your blood to test for AML.
The EPA recently resolved a case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. (GWRSI). GWRSI operates locomotives that emit nitrogen oxides and fine particulates (PM2.5) when they are running on diesel fuel. This EPA settlement requires that GWRSI replace any of its locomotives with more modern models that meet EPA emission standards.
Diesel Exhaust
As long as diesel fuel continues be used to power freight trains railroad workers are exposed to exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a cocktail of toxic chemicals, which include carcinogens such as benzene, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. union pacific settlements contains oxides of nitrogen as well as particulate matter and polyaromatic hydrocarbons.
In fact the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel exhaust as a class 1 carcinogen. Diesel exhaust is also a cause of respiratory ailments like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchiectasis. An article published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2006 related railroad worker employment to COPD rates.
When railcars and locomotives are running and idling, they emit diesel exhaust. The machinery and engines that idle emit gases in addition to the diesel fumes, which include sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
The odor of diesel exhaust is typically evident in the cabs of locomotives, where conductors and engineers sit for up to six hours at the same time. Colon cancer lawsuit settlements and the engine emit more diesel exhaust fumes when workers enter or leave the cabins. This can cause pulmonary and cancerous issues.
Furthermore railroad mechanics are exposed to diesel exhaust in poorly ventilated roundhouses and shops. They work in enclosed areas that contain track equipment, locomotives and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.