Railroad Settlements and Asbestos
In 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. This act helped to fund two transcontinental railroad companies by granting large grants for rights-of way. Railroad workers who contract cancer due to workplace exposures can sue their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
A jury in Illinois has awarded $7.5 million to a former Union Pacific Trackman who died of acute myeloid leukemia. He blamed his blood-cancers on exposure to creosote compounds like benzene and others used to preserve railroad ties made of wood.
Creosote
Coal tar is a wood preservative used to shield railroad ties from the sun, heat, cold and snow. In the process of applying coal tar creosote, workers are exposed to a wide variety of toxic chemicals and solvents including benzene. Benzene, a known carcinogen can cause leukemia as well as non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as with other serious consequences like convulsions, heartbeat changes, liver damage, anemia and cancers of the lungs and body.
Our lawyers have been successful in prosecuting multiple lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad for exposure to coal-tar creosote. One of these cases culminated in the amount of $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track department employee who contracted acute myeloidleukemia as a result of exposure to the toxic chemical compound on his job over 31 years. The jury found that the railroad failed to provide any personal protective equipment. The plaintiff was frequently exposed him diverse range of toxic chemicals including coal-tar creosote, coal tar distillates, carbolineum, naphtha and other cleaning solvents.
Another case involved the use of copper naphthenate as an alternative to creosote from coal tar. Although copper naphthenate is less hazardous to the environment than creosote it can nevertheless be extremely hazardous. Copper naphthenate may cause skin, lung and nerve damage to the skin and nerves. It can also contaminate the groundwater and soil with benzene.
Benzene
Benzene, a colorless liquid petroleum hydrocarbon that is used to make plastics, resins and synthetic fibers. It is also present in diesel fuel and exhaust. The majority of railroad workers are exposed to diesel fumes on an ongoing basis. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen, and has been linked to leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
There is no safe exposure to benzene. csx settlement can be inhaled or taken in through the surface of the skin. Exposure for long periods can harm the blood supply and trigger different health issues, such as menstrual irregularities, anemia and fertility problems. Benzene is also associated with certain types of cancers such as breast and lung cancer.
Benzene is a substance that can be consumed orally, but it is most dangersome when inhaled. Inhaling benzene can cause dizziness, headaches nose bleeds, dizziness and loss of consciousness. Benzene may also affect the immune system and cause infections.
A recent report highlighted the increased levels of benzene in the air near two Chicago train stations. Commuters and railroad employees were exposed to these high levels of pollution that led to schools closing classes, and cities to instruct residents to take shelter in their homes. Railroad workers, including car department employees, locomotive machinists, electricians and pipefitters, regularly use benzene-containing products such as Safety-Kleen parts washers as well as CRC Brakleen as well as thinners and paints. The chemical is also used in printing solvents.
Asbestos
As early as the 1800s asbestos was utilized in the railroad industry. Asbestos is a class of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals which were once highly sought-after in construction due to their fire-retardant as well as their corrosion-resistant, fire-retardant and insulate properties. Inhaling these particles can cause serious health problems including lung cancer and asbestosis. These illnesses can last up to 30 years before symptoms are evident.
The EPA has banned the mining and processing of asbestos in the United States however, it is used in many of the products. This includes certain types of floor felt, paper and fake fire embers. But, if these items are exposed to water or heat they could release harmful asbestos fibers. These fibers can also enter the air when buildings are demolished or when homes are being renovated.
A recent study found that even five years of exposure to benzene can significantly increase the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Contact your doctor if experience symptoms such as night sweats or an unprovoked weight loss. They may perform an examination of your blood to look for AML.
The EPA recently settled a case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. (GWRSI). GWRSI operates locomotives that emit nitrogen oxides and fine particulates (PM2.5) when they run on diesel fuel. 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 railroads, workers will continue to be exposed exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a dangerous mix of chemicals that includes carcinogens such as benzene and carbon monoxide. railroad settlement contains particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel exhaust as a group 1 carcinogen. In addition, diesel exhaust can be a source of respiratory illness in the form of bronchiopulmonary illnesses like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. A 2006 study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad worker's employment with COPD rates.
When railroad cars and locomotives are running and idling they emit diesel exhaust. million settlement emit gases, like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides along with diesel fumes.
Diesel exhaust fumes are often indistinguishable in locomotive cabs where engineers and conductors spend up to six hours a day. When employees enter or exit the cabins, the engine and equipment release more exhaust fumes from diesel engines, creating a hazard for lung and cancer of the railway.
In roundhouses that are not well ventilated as well as workshops and shops railroad mechanics have to contend with an extreme risk of exposure to diesel exhaust. They work with locomotives and track equipment in enclosed spaces that can produce dangerous inhalants, like asbestos-insulated steam boilers and steam pipes and silica sand.