The Reasons You Should Experience Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia At A Minimum, Once In Your Lifetime

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The Reasons You Should Experience Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia At A Minimum, Once In Your Lifetime

Railroad Settlements and Asbestos

In 1862, Congress passed the Pacific Railroad Act, which helped to fund two transcontinental railroad companies through the granting of large amounts of lands for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who contract cancer because of exposure to work-related hazards could sue their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

An Illinois jury has handed down a $7.5 million verdict to a former Union Pacific trackman dying from acute myeloid leukemia. He blamed his blood cancer on massive exposure to creosote at work and benzene, which were used to preserve and waterproof railroad ties made of wood.

Colon cancer lawsuit settlements , a wood preserver, can be used to shield railroad ties from the sun, heat and cold, rain, and snow. When applying coal tar creosote workers are exposed to a wide range of toxic chemicals as well as solvents such as benzene. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen is a known carcinogen that can cause leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as well with other serious consequences like heartbeat and convulsions, liver damage, anemia and cancers of the lung and body.

Our lawyers have been successful in prosecuting several lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad for exposure to coal-tar creosote. One of these cases ended with the amount of $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track department employee who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia due to exposure to the toxic chemical compound on his job over 31 years. The jury found that the railroad failed to provide any personal protective equipment and regularly exposed him to a diverse range of toxic chemicals including coal-tar creosote, coal distillates, carbolineum, naphtha and other cleaning solvents.

Another claim involved the use of copper naphthenate substitute for creosote from coal tar. Copper naphthenate, although less harmful to the environment than creosote can still be extremely dangerous. Copper naphthenate has been identified as a carcinogen and can cause nerve, skin and lung damage. It also contaminates groundwater and soil with benzene.

Benzene

A colorless liquid petroleum hydrocarbon, benzene is a component in the production of resins, plastics, nylon and synthetic fibers. It is also found in diesel fuel and exhaust.  union pacific settlements  are commonly inhaled by almost all railroad workers. Benzene is a known carcinogen is linked to leukemia and the myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

There is no limit to the amount of exposure to benzene. It can be inhaled or absorption through the surface the skin. Long-term exposure can damage the blood and cause many different health issues, including anemia, irregular menstrual cycles and fertility problems. Benzene can also be linked to certain types of cancers, such as breast and lung cancer.

Inhaling benzene is among the most hazardous. Inhaling benzene may cause headaches, dizziness and nosebleeds. It can also disrupt the immune system, which could lead to infections.

A recent report has highlighted the higher levels of benzene that were found in the air around two Chicago train stations. Commuters railroad workers as well as city residents were exposed to extreme levels of pollution. Schools closed classes and cities urged residents to seek shelter.  union pacific settlements , such as car department employees, locomotive mechanics, electricians and pipefitters work with products that contain benzene like Safety-Kleen part washers and CRC Brakleen, as well as paints, thinners, and other products. Also, benzene is used in printing solvents.

Asbestos

The asbestos use in the railroad industry started in the early days. Asbestos is composed of six silicate minerals naturally occurring with a fibrous structure. They were used in construction because of their fire retardant, corrosion resistant, and insulate qualities. Inhaling these fibers can cause serious health issues such as lung cancer and asbestosis. These health conditions can take up to 30 years before symptoms are evident.

The EPA has prohibited asbestos mining and processing in the US However, asbestos is still found in many products. This includes certain types of floor felt, paper and fake fire embers. However, when these materials are exposed to heat or water they could release harmful asbestos fibers. These fibers may also be released into air during demolition or home remodeling.

A recent study has found that just five years of exposure to benzene can significantly increase the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). If you are suffering from symptoms such as night sweats that are not explained, weight loss, or a decrease in appetite or a lack of appetite, see your doctor immediately. They can do an analysis of your blood to determine AML.

The EPA recently concluded a settlement with Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. (GWRSI). GWRSI utilizes 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 existing locomotives with new ones that meet EPA emission standards.


Diesel Exhaust

As long as diesel fuel continues be used to power freight trains railroad workers are exposed exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a cocktail of toxic chemicals that includes carcinogens like benzene and carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. It also includes particulate matter, polyaromatic hydrocarbons as well as nitrogen oxides.

In fact the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel exhaust as a Class 1 carcinogen. Diesel exhaust can also cause respiratory illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchiectasis. A 2006 study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad workers' employment to COPD rates.

When railroad cars and locomotives are running and idling, they emit diesel exhaust. The idling engines and machinery emit gases in addition to the diesel fumes, including nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.

The odor of diesel exhaust is typically visible in the cabs of locomotives where engineers and conductors sit for up to six hours at one time. When workers enter and exit the cabs, the engine as well as equipment release more diesel exhaust fumes and pose a risk to lung and cancer of the railway.

In poorly ventilated roundhouses workshops, shops, and roundhouses railroad mechanics are exposed to the risk of being exposed to diesel exhaust. They work with moving locomotives and track equipment in enclosed spaces that frequently produce harmful inhalants, like asbestos-insulated steam boilers and steam pipes and silica sand.