10 Life Lessons That We Can Learn From Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Railroad Settlements and Asbestos

In 1862, Congress passed the Pacific Railroad Act which helped fund two transcontinental railroad companies through the granting of large amounts of lands for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who develop cancers from exposure to their work environment may make claims against their 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 of acute myeloid lymphoma. He blamed his blood cancer on a massive exposure to creosote in the workplace and benzene, both of which were used to protect and waterproof wooden railroad ties.

Creosote

Coal tar Creosote is a wood preserver, is used to shield railroad tie from the sun, heat and cold, rain and snow. In the process of applying coal tar creosote, workers are exposed to a wide range of toxic chemicals as well as solvents including benzene. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen is a known carcinogen that can cause leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as with other serious consequences like convulsions, heartbeat changes, liver damage, anemia and cancers of the lung and body.

Our lawyers have successfully prosecuted several lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad for exposure to coal-tar creosote. One of these cases ended in an $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track department worker who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia as a result of exposure to the chemical compound that is toxic in his work over 31 years. The jury determined that the railroad did not provide him with personal protective gear and exposed him to a wide range of toxic chemicals that included coal-tar tar creosote, as well as coal distillates.

Another reason for this was the use of copper naphthalenate as an alternative to coal tar creosote. Although copper naphthenate isn't more damaging to the environment than creosote, it could still be extremely dangerous. Copper naphthenate has been identified as a carcinogen and can cause skin, nerve and lung damage to the lung, skin and nerves. It can also contaminate the groundwater and soil with benzene.

Benzene

Benzene is a colorless petroleum hydrocarbon used in the production of resins, plastics, and synthetic fibers. It is also used in diesel fuel and exhaust. Diesel fumes are inhaled regularly by nearly all railroad workers.  CSX Transportation settlement  is a well-known carcinogen, and has been linked to leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

There is no safe level of exposure to benzene. It is absorbed through the skin and inhaled. Long-term exposure to benzene can harm blood vessels, causing anemia, irregular periods, and fertility issues. Benzene can also be linked to certain types of cancers, such as breast and lung cancer.

Benzene is a substance that can be consumed orally but it is the most dangerous when inhaled. Inhaling benzene can cause headaches, dizziness, or nosebleeds. Benzene may also affect the immune system, which could lead to infections.

A recent report highlighted high levels of benzene found in the air around two Chicago train stations.  Lymphoma lawsuit settlement  and railroad workers were exposed excessive levels of pollution, that led to schools closing classes, and cities to instruct residents to take shelter in their homes. Railroad workers, such as car department employees, locomotive machinists pipefitters and electricians regularly use benzene-containing products like Safety-Kleen parts washers and CRC Brakleen as well as paints and thinners. The chemical is also used in printing solvents.

Asbestos

At first asbestos was employed in the railroad industry. Asbestos is comprised of six silicate minerals naturally occurring with fibrous structure. They were previously used in the construction industry due to their an anti-corrosion, fire retardant, and insulate qualities. Inhaling these microscopic fibers can cause serious health issues such as lung cancer asbestosis and mesothelioma. The symptoms of these illnesses may take between 15 and 30 years to show.

The EPA has stopped the mining and process of asbestos in the United States however, it is used in a variety of products. This includes certain types of flooring felt, paper and fake fire embers. When these materials are exposed either to water or heat, they can release asbestos fibers. These fibers may also get into the air when buildings are demolished or when homes are renovated.

A recent study has found that exposure to benzene just for five years significantly increases the chance of developing acute myeloid cancer (AML). Consult your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms such as night sweats or unexplained weight loss. They can conduct a blood test to check for AML.

The EPA has settled a 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 continues to be used to power freight train railroad workers are exposed to exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a mixture of toxic chemicals which include carcinogens like benzene, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. It also contains particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides.

In reality, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel exhaust as a group 1 carcinogen. Furthermore, diesel exhaust is an important cause of respiratory illness in the form of bronchiopulmonary illnesses such as chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. An article published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2006 connected the work of railroad workers to COPD rates.

CSX Transportation settlement  and locomotives emit diesel exhaust when they run and idle in roundhouses, depots yards and shops. Engines that are idle emit gases, such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides as well as diesel fumes.

Diesel exhaust fumes are often unnoticeable in locomotive cabins where conductors and engineers work up to six hours per day. The engine and equipment emit more diesel exhaust fumes when workers enter and leave the cabs. This can cause lung and cancerous ailments.

Furthermore, railroad mechanics are heavily exposed to diesel exhaust in roundhouses that are not ventilated and shops. They work with running locomotives and track equipment in closed spaces that frequently produce harmful inhalants, including asbestos-insulated steam pipes and boilers and silica sand.