This Is How Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Will Look In 10 Years

Railroad Settlements and Asbestos

In 1862, Congress passed the Pacific Railroad Act, which financed two transcontinental railroad companies by giving large grants of land for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who develop cancer as a result of exposures at work can sue employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

A jury in Illinois handed $7.5 million to a former Union Pacific Trackman who died from acute myeloid leukemia. The man blamed his blood cancer on extensive exposure to creosote and benzene. These chemicals were used to protect and waterproof railroad ties made of wood.

Creosote

Coal tar crosote is an organic wood preservative used to shield railroad ties from the sun, heat, cold, rain and snow. Workers are exposed to toxic solvents and chemicals, such as benzene, during the application of coal tar creosote. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen and can cause leukemia, myelodysplastic disease and non-Hodgkin's lupus as well as other serious side effects such as convulsions, changes to your heartbeat, liver damage anemia as well as bone marrow damage. cancer of the lungs and skin.

Our attorneys have successfully prosecuted several lawsuits against the Union Pacific Railroad involving coal-tar creosote exposure. One of these cases was settled with a $7,500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track employee, developed acute myeloid cancer as a result exposure to chemicals that were toxic on working for over 31 years. The jury found that the railroad did not provide any personal protective equipment and exposed him of toxic chemicals including coal-tar-tar creosote and coal distillates.

Another claim involved the use of copper naphthenate an alternative to coal tar creosote. Although copper naphthenate isn't more environmentally harmful than creosote it can nevertheless be extremely dangerous. Copper naphthenate has been identified as a carcinogen and can cause skin, nerve and lung damage. It also contaminates the soil and groundwater with benzene.

Benzene

Benzene is a colorless petroleum hydrocarbon, is used to manufacture resins, plastics 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 known carcinogen has been linked to leukemia and the myelodysplastic disorder (MDS).

There is no safe level of exposure to benzene. It is absorbed through the skin and inhaled. Long-term exposure could damage the blood and cause different health issues, including anemia, irregular menstrual cycles and fertility issues. Benzene can also be linked to certain types of cancers including lung and breast cancer.

Inhaling benzene inhalation is the most hazardous. Inhaling benzene could cause headaches, dizziness nose bleeds, headaches, and loss of consciousness. The benzene compound can also impair the immune system, which can lead to infections.

A recent report revealed the elevated levels of benzene in the air around two Chicago train stations. Commuters as well as railroad workers and city residents were exposed to the high levels of pollution. Schools halted classes and cities demanded residents to stay in their homes.  union pacific settlements , such as car department employees, locomotive machinists pipefitters and electricians regularly employ benzene-containing goods like Safety-Kleen parts washers, CRC Brakleen as well as thinners and paints. Benzene is also used in printing solvents.

Asbestos

The asbestos use in the railroad industry started in the middle of the century. Asbestos is made up of six silicate minerals naturally occurring with a fibrous structure. They were once utilized in the construction industry due to their fire retardant, corrosion resistant and insulate properties. Inhaling these fibrous materials can cause serious health problems such as lung cancer or asbestosis. Symptoms of these health conditions may take between 15 and 30 years to show.

The EPA has banned the mining and processing of asbestos in the United States However, asbestos is utilized in a variety of products. This includes various types of paper, flooring felt and fake fireplace embers. But, if these items are exposed to heat or water they can release toxic asbestos fibers.  railroad back injury settlements  can also be released into the air during demolition or renovations.

Multiple myeloma settlements  has discovered that exposure to benzene for only five years significantly increases the risk of developing acute myeloid lymphoma (AML). Contact your doctor if are experiencing symptoms such as night sweats or an unprovoked weight loss. They may perform an examination of your blood to look for AML.

The EPA has settled a case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. GWRSI uses locomotives that run on diesel fuel and emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This EPA settlement requires that GWRSI replace any of its locomotives with newer models that are compliant with EPA emissions standards.

Diesel Exhaust

As long as diesel fuel continues to be used to power freight trains railroad workers are exposed to exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a harmful mixture of chemicals, which includes carcinogens such as benzene and carbon monoxide. It also contains particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel exhaust as Group 1 carcinogen. Moreover, diesel exhaust is an underlying cause of respiratory disease in the form of bronchiopulmonary conditions like 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.

Rail and locomotives emit diesel exhaust when they run and idle in roundhouses, depots shops and yards. The machinery and engines that idle emit gases in addition diesel fumes, including nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.

Diesel exhaust fumes are often indistinguishable in locomotive cabs where conductors and engineers spend up to six hours per day. When people enter or leave the cabs, the engine and equipment emit more diesel exhaust fumes, creating a hazard for railway cancer and pulmonary problems.

Moreover railroad mechanics are exposed to diesel exhaust in poorly ventilated roundhouses and shops. They work with moving locomotives and track equipment in enclosed areas that often produce harmful inhalants, including asbestos-insulated steam boilers and steam pipes and silica sand.