5 Reasons To Be An Online Railroad Settlement Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia And 5 Reasons Why You Shouldn't
Railroad Settlements and Asbestos
In 1862, Congress passed The Pacific Railroad Act. This law allowed for the funding of two transcontinental railway companies by providing large grants for rights of way. Railroad workers who contract cancer due to workplace exposures may bring lawsuits against their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
An Illinois jury has handed down a $7.5 million verdict to an ex- Union Pacific trackman dying from acute myeloid leukemia. He blamed his blood-cancer on exposure to creosote, as well as other chemicals used to preserve wooden railroad ties.
Creosote
Coal tar Creosote is a wood preserver, is used to protect railroad tie from the sun, heat and cold, rain, and snow. Workers are exposed solvents and chemicals, including benzene, during the application of coal creosote. Benzene is a known carcinogen and can cause leukemia, myelodysplastic disorder and non-Hodgkin's lupus as well in other serious adverse consequences like convulsions changes to your heartbeat, liver damage anemia and bone marrow damages. cancer of the skin and lungs.
Our lawyers have successfully defended numerous lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad for exposure to coal-tar creosote. union pacific settlements of these cases culminated with the amount of $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track department worker was diagnosed with acute myeloid cancer because of exposure to harmful chemical compounds on the job for 31 years. The jury found that railroad did not provide any personal protective gear and exposed him of toxic chemicals, including coal-tar tar creosote and coal distillates.
Another reason for this was the use of copper naphthalenate an alternative to creosote made from coal. Copper naphthenate is less harmful to the environmental than creosote can still be extremely dangerous. Copper naphthenate can cause lung, skin and nerve injury to the nerves, skin and lung. It also contaminates soil and groundwater with benzene.
Benzene
A colorless liquid petroleum hydrocarbon, benzene is a component in the production of resins, plastics nylon, synthetic fibers and other. It is also used in diesel fuel and exhaust. Diesel fumes are commonly inhaled by the majority of railroad workers. Benzene, a known carcinogen has been linked to leukemia and the myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
There is no safe exposure level to benzene. It is taken in through the skin and inhaled. Exposure to benzene for long periods of time can cause blood loss, which can lead to anemia, irregular periods, and fertility issues. Colon cancer lawsuit settlements is also associated with certain types of cancers including lung and breast cancer.
Benzene can be ingested orally but it is the most dangerous when breathed. Inhaling benzene could cause dizziness, headaches nose bleeds, dizziness and loss of consciousness. Benzene can also interfere with the immune system, which can cause infections.
A recent report highlighted higher levels of benzene that were found in the air near two Chicago train stations. Commuters railway workers, commuters and city residents were exposed to extreme levels of pollution. Schools were closed for classes and cities urged residents to shelter in place. Railroad workers, for instance car department employees and electricians, locomotive mechanics and pipefitters utilize products that contain benzene such as Safety-Kleen part washers, CRC Brakleen, as well as paints thinners, paints, and other products. It is also found in printing solvents.
Asbestos
At first, asbestos was used in the railroad industry. Asbestos is comprised of six silicate minerals that are naturally occurring with a fibrous structure. They were once used in construction because of their resistance to corrosion, fire-resisting and insulate properties. Inhaling these fibers can cause serious health issues such as lung cancer mesothelioma and asbestosis. The symptoms of these illnesses can take 15 to 30 years before they show up.
The EPA has stopped asbestos mining and processing in the United States however, it is still present in a number of products. This includes certain types of paper, flooring felt and fake fireplace embers. When these materials are exposed to water or heat they could release asbestos fibers. These fibers could also be released into air during demolition or home renovations.
A recent study has discovered that exposure to benzene just for five years significantly increases the likelihood of developing acute myeloid lymphoma (AML). Consult your doctor if you notice symptoms like night sweats or an unprovoked weight loss. They can perform tests on your blood to test for AML.
The EPA recently settled a case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. (GWRSI). GWRSI operates locomotives which emit nitrogen oxides as well as fine particulates (PM2.5) when they run on diesel fuel. This EPA settlement requires that GWRSI replace any of its locomotives with more modern models that conform to EPA emissions standards.
Diesel Exhaust
As long diesel fuel is used to power freight trains, railroad workers will continue to be exposed exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a poisonous mix of chemicals that includes carcinogens such benzene and carbon monoxide. It also contains oxides of nitrogen as well as particulate matter and polyaromatic hydrocarbons.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel exhaust as a Group 1 carcinogen. Diesel exhaust is also a cause of respiratory illnesses like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or 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 are idling in roundhouses, depots yards and shops. The machines and engines that are idle emit gases in addition to diesel fumes, which include nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.
The odor of diesel exhaust is frequently visible in the cabs of locomotives where engineers and conductors sit for up to six hours at a time. When people enter or leave the cabs, the engine and equipment release more diesel exhaust fumes which can lead to lung and cancer of the railway.
Additionally, railroad mechanics are heavily exposed to diesel exhaust in poorly ventilated roundhouses and shops. Colon cancer lawsuit settlements work with locomotives and track equipment in closed spaces that are often contaminated with inhalants, like asbestos-insulated steam pipes and boilers and silica sand.