Railroad Cancer
Railroads use millions of gallons diesel fuel to transport freight trains over long distances. The highly toxic diesel exhaust contains carcinogens, such as arsenic dioxin and benzene.
If you're a former or current railroad worker who has been diagnosed with cancer, you may be entitled to compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). Railroad Workers can assist you to obtain an equitable financial settlement to help you bear the burden.
Benzene
Benzene, a solvent used in industrial processes is found in the exhaust of diesel fuel. Many railroad employees, including conductors, engineers, machinists electricians, and conductors work in areas that are exposed to diesel fumes.
Some people may develop cancer after a single exposure to benzene. Specifically, it is known to cause acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The cancer develops in the bone marrow and then spreads into the blood. It is more common in males than females, and it can be deadly if left untreated.
The danger of benzene comes from the fact that it could cause harm to the immune system. This can cause illnesses and a diminished capacity to fight germs. Benzene may cause bone weakness and increase the risk for arthritis.
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a different serious consequence of benzene. The cancer forms start in the bone marrow and grows into blood. It can affect the spleen as well as other organs of the body.
A study conducted in 2015 revealed that even the smallest amount of benzene can raise the risk of developing leukemia by one-third. Researchers examined medical records of the medical records of 25,000 Norwegian oil crew members who worked for more than 20 days.
Despite the dangers of exposure to benzene, it is still being used in a variety of commercial and industrial processes. There are, however, ways to reduce exposure to benzene and prevent poisoning.
Wearing protective eyewear and clothing is one way to protect your eyes. This will help prevent benzene from getting in the nose and eyes. A respirator should be used whenever it is possible.
If you suspect you have been exposed, immediately consult your physician. This will help identify any symptoms you might have and reduce the risk of death from benzene poisoning.
In addition to a variety of different types of cancer, benzene can also affect the brain. It can cause confusion and memory loss. Railroad Workers can cause an impairment in the quality of life, and make it difficult to perform at work or at home.
Asbestos
Asbestos is an extremely toxic mineral that has been shown to cause serious diseases including lung cancer as well as mesothelioma. It is found in a variety of materials used in construction, like pipe insulation and floor tiles.
As as a result asbestos exposure is among of the biggest health risks for those working in the railroad industry. Railroad workers are exposed to asbestos in a variety of ways. Here are some of the most common:
One exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma and various other life-threatening cancers. The cancers can grow in the lungs, mesothelium (the membrane that surrounds the lungs) and the abdominal cavity.
Fortunately, the majority of people who are exposed to asbestos fibers do not develop any of the harmful diseases that can be linked to asbestos. The majority of fibers are expelled through coughing or as mucus. This protects the lungs. However there are certain kinds of asbestos fibers that can stick to your lung tissue and stay there for decades or years.
The health consequences of this condition vary from person to person but can result in shortness of breath or chest pain, difficulty breathing, or a tight feeling in the chest. It can also cause problems with swallowing or weight loss.
Children who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma, or another type of cancer since they are more likely to breathe asbestos-containing fibers through their noses and mouths. The reason for this is because their lung tissue is still developing.
They inhale more asbestos fibers due to the fact that they breathe at a higher rate and have a higher volume to surface ratio than adults.
Because they are more vulnerable to inhaling the dangerous fibers, children are at a particularly high risk of developing mesothelioma, especially when they have been in close contact with railroad cars. They also are at an increased risk of developing this disease if they have relatives with mesothelioma.
Creosote
In the 19th century, creosote was developed to help protect wood from rot as well as insect damage, saving railroad companies money by reducing the cost of replacing wood. Creosote can still be used to treat wood products in the present. It can also be used for protection of log homes and marine pilings.
It is a toxic chemical that has been linked to a number of cancers. These include esophageal, lung and larynx cancers.
The health risks of creosote-related exposure are especially present in those who work in the wood preservation, coke-production and asphalt industries. Chimney sweeps as well as workers who perform physical labor, such as rail track maintenance and construction may also be exposed to creosote.
Exposure to creosote can cause irritation of the eyes and skin chemical burns, eyelid spasms, convulsions and mental confusion, unconsciousness, kidney problems and death. It can also affect the lung and cause respiratory issues in the long run, similar to smoking cigarettes.
Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements , which is made from coal tar, can be absorbed through skin. It can also be taken in through food items that are contaminated or water.
One of the major sources of exposure to creosote among railroad workers is when they work near a hazardous waste site. These sites usually contain large amounts of creosote. It can cause contamination of water, soil and even air.
Rail workers could also be exposed to creosote when they work in the wood treatment field. Many wood products such as fences and timber, are treated with creosote.
People who work in these sectors are usually not protected with the proper equipment, which could expose them to creosote and toxins. This could lead to serious health issues, such as chronic fatigue syndrome and cancer.
Creosote can be described as an oily liquid that is amber to black in color. It has the taste of burning and caustic. It isn't buoyant in water and has specific gravity of 1.037 to 1.087. It is a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and phenolic compounds in addition to other chemicals. While coal is the most well-known form, other types of creosote can also be found.
Diesel Exhaust
Diesel exhaust is a byproduct of combustion of fuels and is released into the atmosphere when diesel engines are being used. It can also be released from diesel locomotives, farm and construction equipment generators, ships and other industrial equipment.
Diesel exhaust workers may be more susceptible to developing cancer. This is due to the fact that they are exposed to more of this substance than those who work in other sectors.
Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust can cause lung cancer in laboratory animals like rats. Diesel exhaust can trigger DNA changes in cells that make them more prone to cancerous growth.
Studies on the effects of diesel exhaust on humans have also shown that prolonged exposure to diesel exhaust can cause many health problems such as respiratory diseases like emphysema and chronic bronchitis and blood system diseases like cancers of the bladder and larynx (voice box) and stomach, esophagus and the pancreas. Other studies have identified diesel exhaust as a cause of cancers of the breast and prostate.
The American Cancer Society considers diesel exhaust to be a carcinogen. It is classified as such in the International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of the World Health Organization).
Exposure to diesel exhaust may pose a serious threat to those who work with large engines and machines, including truck drivers or toll booth operators. They are also at risk for cancer if they spend a large amount of time in locations where heavy diesel traffic occurs such as highways and cities.
Railroad workers who build and maintain tracks and yards may be exposed to diesel fumes when they work near diesel engines or other machinery. The fumes can be extremely dangerous when they are in the cabins of locomotives or other machinery.
Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust can cause lung inflammation and cancer in laboratory rats. Some of these tumors appeared like a form of cancer called a lung adenocarcinoma. This happens when the cells within the lungs develop malignancy and grow and divide rapidly.