Railroad Settlements and Asbestos
In 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. This law helped fund two transcontinental railway companies through large grants for rights of way. Railroad workers who develop cancers because of exposure to work-related hazards could bring lawsuits against their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
A jury in Illinois gave $7.5 million to an ex- Union Pacific Trackman who died of acute myeloid lymphoma. He blamed his blood colon cancer caused by railroad how to get a settlement on a massive workplace exposures to creosote and benzene. Both were used to protect and waterproof railroad ties made of wood.
Creosote
Coal tar creosote can be described as a wood preserver used to shield railroad ties from the sun, heat, cold rain and snow. In the process of applying coal tar creosote workers are exposed to a wide range of toxic chemicals and solvents, including benzene. Benzene, a known carcinogen is a known carcinogen that can cause leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as well with other serious consequences like heartbeat fluctuations, convulsions, liver damage, anemia, and cancers of the lung and the body.
Our lawyers have successfully defended several lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad for exposure to coal-tar creosote. One of these cases resulted in an award of $750,000. The plaintiff was a track department employee was diagnosed with acute myeloid cancer as a result exposure to toxic chemical compounds on working for over 31 years. The jury concluded that the railroad failed to provide any personal protective equipment. The plaintiff was frequently exposed him to a broad range of harmful chemicals such as coal-tar creosote, coal tar distillates, carbolineum, naphtha and other cleaning solvents.
Another claim was the use of copper naphthalenate as an alternative to creosote made from coal. Although copper naphthenate isn’t more environmentally harmful than creosote, it could nevertheless be extremely dangerous. Copper naphthenate may cause skin, lung and nerve damage to nerves, skin and the lung. It is also a source of contamination for the soil and groundwater with benzene.
Benzene
A colorless liquid petroleum hydrocarbon which is used in the production of resins, plastics nylon, synthetic fibers and other. It can also be found in diesel fuels and exhaust. Diesel fumes are inhaled regularly rad caused by railroad how to get a settlement virtually all railroad workers. Benzene is a carcinogen that is well-known is linked to leukemia caused by railroad how to get a settlement and myelodysplastic disorder (MDS).
There is no safe level of exposure to benzene. It is taken in through the skin and inhaled. Long-term exposure to it can damage the blood and cause health problems, including menstrual cycle irregularities, anemia and fertility problems. There is also a link between benzene to certain types of cancer which include lung and breast cancer.
Inhaling benzene is the most dangerous. Inhaling benzene can lead to dizziness, headaches nose bleeds, dizziness and loss of consciousness. Benzene can also affect the immune system and trigger infections.
Recent reports have revealed the high levels of benzene in the vicinity of two Chicago train station. Commuters and railroad workers were exposed to these pollutant levels, that led to schools closing classes and cities to require residents to take shelter. Railroad workers, such as car department employees, locomotive machinists pipefitters and electricians, often employ benzene-containing goods like Safety-Kleen parts washers and CRC Brakleen as well as paints and thinners. The chemical is also used in printing solvents.
Asbestos
The use of asbestos in the railroad industry was discovered in the early days. Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals which were once very popular in construction for their fire retardant as well as their corrosion-resistant, fire-retardant and insulate properties. Inhaling these fibers can lead to serious health issues such as lung cancer or asbestosis. The signs of these health conditions may take between 15 and 30 years to show.
The EPA has been able to ban the mining and processing of asbestos in the United States however it is used in a variety of products. This includes certain kinds of floor felt, paper and fake fire embers. However, if these materials are exposed to water or heat they can release toxic asbestos fibers. They could also be released into air during demolition or remodeling.
A recent study has revealed that exposure to benzene just for five years significantly increases the likelihood of developing acute myeloid lymphoma (AML). If you’re experiencing symptoms like night sweats that are not explained, weight loss and suppression or a lack of appetite, consult your physician immediately. 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 operates locomotives that emit nitrogen oxides and fine particulates (PM2.5) when they operate on diesel fuel. This EPA settlement mandates that GWRSI replace any of its locomotives with newer models that are compliant with EPA emission standards.
Diesel Exhaust
As long as diesel fuel is used to power railroads, workers will continue to be exposed exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a mixture of toxic chemicals which include carcinogens like benzene and carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. It also contains particulate matter, railroad cancer settlements polyaromatic hydrocarbons as well as nitrogen oxides.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel exhaust as Group 1 carcinogen. In addition, diesel exhaust can be 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 cancer settlements (mouse click the next document) workers’ employment to COPD rates.
Rail and locomotives emit diesel exhaust when they are running and are idling in roundhouses and depots as well as yards and shops. The machines and engines that are idle emit gasses in addition to the diesel fumes, which include sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
The smell of diesel exhaust is typically inescapable inside locomotive cabs, where engineers and conductors sit for up to six hours at an time. The engine and equipment emit more diesel exhaust fumes when people enter or leave the cabins. This can cause pulmonary and cancerous conditions.
In roundhouses that are not well ventilated workshops, shops, and roundhouses railroad mechanics face an extreme risk of exposure to diesel exhaust. They work in enclosed spaces with track equipment, locomotives and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.