Railroad Settlements and Asbestos In 1862, Congress passed the Pacific Railroad Act, which helped to fund two transcontinental railroads by providing large grants of lands for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who contract cancer due to workplace exposures can sue their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). An Illinois jury has handed down a $7.5 million verdict to an ex- Union Pacific trackman dying from acute myeloid leukemia. He blamed his blood-cancer on exposure to creosote, as well as other chemicals used to preserve wooden railroad ties. Creosote Coal tar Creosote is a wood preserver, is used to shield railroad tie from heat, sun and cold, rain and snow. Workers are exposed to toxic solvents and chemicals, including benzene, during the application of coal creosote that is tar. Benzene is a known carcinogen and can cause leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as well other serious side effects like convulsions changes to your heartbeat, liver damage, anemia, bone marrow damage and cancer of the skin and lungs. Our lawyers have successfully defended multiple lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad for exposure to coal-tar creosote. One of these cases resulted with a $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 found that the railroad did not provide him with personal protective gear and exposed him to a wide range of toxic chemicals, including coal-tar tar creosote and coal distillates. Another argument was the use of copper naphthalenate a replacement for creosote made from coal. stomach cancer caused by railroad how to get a settlement , although less harmful to the environment than creosote can still be extremely hazardous. Copper naphthenate is a carcinogen and can cause nerve, skin and lung damage. It also contaminates the soil and groundwater with benzene. Benzene Benzene, a colorless liquid petroleum hydrocarbon that is used to create resins, plastics and synthetic fibers. It is also found in diesel fuel and exhaust. Diesel fumes are regularly inhaled by the majority of railroad workers. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen has been linked to leukemia and the myelodysplastic disorder (MDS). There is no limit to the amount of exposure to benzene. It can be breathed in or taken in through the surface of the skin. Exposure to benzene for long periods of time can cause blood damage, leading to irregular menstrual cycles, anemia, and fertility issues. It is also associated with certain types of cancers, like breast and lung cancer. Benzene is a substance that can be consumed orally but it is the most dangerous when inhaled. Inhaling benzene could cause dizziness, headaches, nose bleeds and loss of consciousness. Benzene can also affect the immune system and cause infections. Recent reports have highlighted the high levels of benzene near two Chicago train stations. Commuters, railroad workers and city residents were exposed to high levels of pollution. Schools halted classes and cities urged residents to stay in their homes. Railroad workers, including car department employees, locomotive machinists, pipefitters and electricians, frequently utilize benzene-containing products, like Safety-Kleen parts washers and CRC Brakleen as well as thinners and paints. It is also found in printing solvents. Asbestos At first, asbestos was used in the railroad industry. Asbestos is one of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that were once highly sought-after in construction due to their fire-retardant resistant, fire-retardant, corrosion resistant and insulate properties. Inhaling these particles can cause serious health problems including lung cancer and asbestosis. The symptoms of these illnesses may take between 15 and 30 years to appear. The EPA has stopped the mining and process of asbestos in this country, but it is still used in many of the products. This includes certain kinds of flooring felt, paper and fake fire embers. However, when these materials are exposed to water or heat they could release toxic asbestos fibers. These fibers could also be released into the air during demolition or renovations. A recent study showed that even a five-year exposure to benzene can significantly increase the chance of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). If you are suffering from symptoms like night sweats, unprovoked weight loss, or a decrease in appetite or loss of appetite, consult your physician immediately. They may perform a blood test to look for AML. The EPA recently resolved a case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. (GWRSI). 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 current 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 exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a toxic mixture of chemicals, which includes carcinogens such benzene and carbon monoxide. 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. Additionally, diesel exhaust is a source of respiratory illness in the form of bronchiopulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. A 2006 article published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad worker's work and COPD rates. When locomotives and railcars are running and idling, they emit diesel exhaust. The machinery and engines that idle emit gases in addition to diesel fumes. These include nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. The odor of diesel exhaust is usually inescapable inside locomotive cabs, where conductors and engineers sit for up to six hours at a time. When people enter or leave the cabins, the engine and equipment produce more diesel exhaust fumes that pose a risk for lung and cancer of the railway. In poorly ventilated roundhouses as well as workshops and shops railroad mechanics are exposed to an extreme risk of exposure to diesel exhaust. They work with locomotives and track equipment in enclosed spaces that are often contaminated with inhalants, like asbestos-insulated steam boilers and steam pipes and silica sand.
stomach cancer caused by railroad how to get a settlement
