Railroad Settlements and Asbestos In 1862, Congress passed the Pacific Railroad Act which helped to fund two transcontinental railroad companies through the granting of large amounts of lands for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who contract cancer because of exposures at work can sue employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). A jury in Illinois awarded $7.5 million to an ex- Union Pacific Trackman who died of acute myeloid leukemia. The man blamed his blood cancer on exposure to creosote as well as other chemicals used to protect wooden railroad ties. Creosote Coal tar Creosote is the wood preserver employed to shield railroad ties from heat, sun and cold, rain, and snow. In the process of applying coal tar creosote workers are exposed to a wide range of toxic chemicals and solvents like benzene. Benzene, a known carcinogen is a known carcinogen that can cause leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as being associated with other serious issues like heartbeat changes, convulsions liver damage, anemia, and cancers of the lung and body. Our lawyers have successfully prosecuted numerous 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 employee suffered from acute myeloid carcinoma due to exposure chemicals that were toxic on working for over 31 years. The jury found that the railroad did not provide any personal protective gear and exposed him of toxic chemicals including coal-tar-tar creosote and coal tar distillates. Another instance involved the use of copper naphthenate as alternative to creosote from coal tar. Although copper naphthenate may be less hazardous to the environment than creosote, it can nevertheless be extremely dangerous. Copper naphthenate can cause cancer and can cause skin, nerve and lung damage. It also can contaminate groundwater and soil with benzene. Benzene A colorless liquid petroleum hydrocarbon which is used in the manufacturing of resins, plastics nylon and synthetic fibers. It is also used in diesel fuels and exhaust. Diesel fumes are regularly inhaled by nearly all railroad workers. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen, and has been linked to leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). There is no limit to the amount of exposure to benzene. It can be absorbed through the skin and inhaled. Long-term exposure to benzene can harm blood vessels, causing irregular menstrual flow, anemia and fertility issues. The chemical is also linked to certain types of cancers, including breast and lung cancer. It is possible to inhale benzene orally however it is most dangerous when breathed. Inhaling benzene may cause headaches, dizziness, nose bleeds and loss of consciousness. Benzene may also affect the immune system, which could cause infections. A recent report highlighted increased levels of benzene in the air near two Chicago train stations. Commuters, railroad workers and city residents were exposed to excessive levels of pollution. Schools halted classes and cities demanded residents to shelter in place. union pacific settlements , such as car department employees, locomotive machinists, pipefitters and electricians, often make use of benzene-containing items like Safety-Kleen parts washers as well as CRC Brakleen as well as paints and thinners. The chemical is also used in printing solvents. Asbestos The asbestos use in the railroad industry started in the early years. Asbestos is composed of six silicate minerals that are naturally occurring with a fibrous structure. They were used in construction because they had fire retardant, corrosion resistant, and insulate qualities. Inhaling these fibers could lead to serious health issues like lung cancer and asbestosis. The symptoms of these diseases can take 15 to 30 years to appear. The EPA has been able to ban asbestos mining and processing in the US however, it can be found in a wide range of products. This includes some types of flooring felt, paper and fake fireplace embers. However, if these materials are exposed to water or heat they could release toxic asbestos fibers. These fibers may also be released into air during demolition or renovations. A recent study has discovered that exposure to benzene for only five years significantly increases the chance of developing acute myeloid lymphoma (AML). If you are suffering from symptoms like night sweats that are not explained, weight loss and suppression or lack of appetite, visit your doctor right away. They may perform an analysis of your blood to determine AML. The EPA recently resolved a case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. (GWRSI). GWRSI uses locomotives that run on diesel fuel and emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This EPA settlement mandates that GWRSI replace any of its locomotives with newer models that meet EPA emission standards. Diesel Exhaust As long as diesel fuel continues to be used to power freight trains railroad workers are exposed exhaust. railroad back injury settlements is a toxic mixture of chemicals, which includes carcinogens like benzene as well as carbon monoxide. It also includes particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons as well as nitrogen oxides. In reality the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel exhaust as a class 1 carcinogen. In Multiple myeloma settlements , diesel exhaust can be an underlying cause of respiratory disease in the form of bronchiopulmonary illnesses such as chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. A 2006 article published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad worker's employment with COPD rates. Rail and locomotives emit diesel exhaust when they are running and idle in depots, roundhouses, shops and yards. The machinery and engines that idle emit gasses in addition to the diesel fumes. These include sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. The smell of diesel exhaust is usually inescapable inside locomotive cabs, where conductors and engineers are seated for up to six hours at one time. When workers enter or exit the cabins, the engines and equipment emit more exhaust fumes from diesel engines, creating a hazard for lung and cancer of the railway. Additionally 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, such as asbestos-insulated steam boilers and steam pipes and silica sand.
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