Railroad Settlements and Asbestos In 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. The act helped to fund two transcontinental railroad companies through large grants for rights-of way. Railroad workers who develop cancers due to exposure in the workplace may make claims against their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). A jury in Illinois handed $7.5 million to a former Union Pacific Trackman who died of acute myeloid Leukemia. He blamed his blood-cancer on exposure to creosote compounds like benzene and others used to preserve railroad ties made of wood. Creosote Coal tar Creosote is a wood preserver, can be employed to shield railroad ties from heat, sun and cold, rain, and snow. Workers are exposed to harmful chemicals and solvents, including benzene in the application of coal creosote. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen, can cause leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, as with other serious consequences like heartbeat fluctuations, convulsions, liver damage, anemia and cancers of the lung and the body. Our lawyers have been successful in prosecuting several lawsuits against the Union Pacific Railroad involving coal-tar creosote exposure. One of these cases culminated in the amount of $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track staffer who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia due to exposure to the toxic chemical compound during his employment for over 31 years. The jury found that the railroad did not provide any personal protective equipment, and exposed him to a variety of toxic chemicals including coal-tar-tar creosote and coal distillates. Another claim involved the use of copper naphthenate as substitute for coal tar creosote. Copper naphthenate is less harmful to the environment than creosote can still be extremely dangerous. Copper naphthenate is a cancer-causing agent and can cause nerve, skin and lung damage. It also contaminates groundwater and soil with benzene. Benzene A colorless liquid petroleum hydrocarbon benzene is used in the production of resins, plastics nylon, synthetic fibers and other. It is also used in diesel fuel and exhaust. Diesel fumes are inhaled regularly by almost all railroad workers. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen, and has been linked with leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). There is no limit to the amount of exposure to benzene. It is taken in through the skin and inhaled. Long-term exposure could damage the bloodstream and cause health problems, including anemia, irregular menstrual cycles and fertility problems. It is also associated with certain types of cancers including breast and lung cancer. Inhaling benzene can be the most hazardous. Inhaling benzene can cause dizziness, headaches nose bleeds, dizziness and loss of consciousness. It can also affect your immune system and trigger 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 pollutant levels, that led to schools closing classes and cities to ask residents to shelter-in-place. Railroad workers, including car department employees, locomotive machinists pipefitters and electricians, frequently employ benzene-containing goods like Safety-Kleen parts washers and Brakleen as well as thinners and paints. The chemical is also used in printing solvents. Asbestos Early on, asbestos was used in the railroad industry. Asbestos is composed of six naturally occurring silicate minerals with a fibrous structure. They were previously used in construction because they had an anti-corrosion, fire retardant and insulate characteristics. Inhaling these tiny fibers can cause serious health problems like lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. These health conditions can take up to 30 years before symptoms appear. The EPA has been able to ban the mining and processing of asbestos in the United States however it is used in many products. This includes certain kinds of flooring felt, paper and fake fire embers. However, when these products are exposed to water or heat they could release toxic asbestos fibers. They could also be released into the air during demolition or home renovations. A recent study found that just five years of exposure to benzene can significantly increase the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). If you're experiencing symptoms such as night sweats, a mysterious weight loss, and a lack of appetite or a lack of appetite, seek out your doctor immediately. They may perform tests on your blood to identify AML. The EPA recently settled a case with Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. (GWRSI). GWRSI uses locomotives that run on diesel fuel and emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This EPA settlement mandates that GWRSI replace any of its current locomotives with more modern models that are compliant with EPA emissions standards. Diesel Exhaust As long as diesel fuel continues be used to power freight trains, railroad workers are exposed exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a dangerous 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. Diesel exhaust may also cause respiratory diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchiectasis. A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2006 related the employment of railroad workers to COPD rates. When railcars and locomotives are running and idling they emit diesel exhaust. The engines that are idling emit gases, like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxidants along with diesel fumes. mesothelioma caused by railroad how to get a settlement of diesel exhaust is typically inescapable inside locomotive cabs, in which conductors and engineers can sit for up to six hours at the same time. When workers enter or exit the cabs, the engine as well as equipment emit more diesel exhaust fumes and pose a risk to railway cancer and pulmonary problems. In poorly ventilated roundhouses or workshops, railroad mechanics face the risk of being exposed to diesel exhaust. They work with moving locomotives and track equipment in enclosed spaces that are often contaminated with inhalants, like asbestos-insulated steam pipes and boilers and silica sand.
mesothelioma caused by railroad how to get a settlement
