Benzene, Butadiene, and Other Carcinogens on the Railroad
Many railroad workers are exposed to benzene butadiene and other carcinogens during the job. You may be entitled compensation for developing an illness that is serious, such as leukemia.
Leukemias can occur in the lymphatic tissues or bone marrow. CLL (chronic lymphocytic Leukemia) is one of the four main forms of adult leukemia.
Benzene
It is a chemical that can be breathed in or absorbed through the skin. It is a basic by-product of oil that is used in the production of nylons, plastics and synthetic fibers. It is also used as a component in lubricants and dyes. It is a well-known cancerous substance that causes leukemia and other cancers such as acute myelogenous lymphoma (AML), myelodysplastic disorders and lymphomas.
Mineral spirits, solvents, and degreasers are used by railroad workers to expose them to benzene. They are also exposed to diesel fuel and exhaust fumes when working on locomotives, freight cars and other rail equipment. Railroad workers are at a higher chance of developing chronic lymphocytic cancer because of this exposure.
Numerous epidemiological studies have demonstrated an increased risk of leukemia with the increase in exposure to benzene. A recent study that was a meta-analysis provided an overview of the effects of exposure to benzene as well as the risk of AML, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL).
The results from the meta-analysis suggest that occupational benzene exposure significantly increases the risk of these leukemias. However, the results for AML and CLL were weaker than for ALL. union pacific settlements could be due to a lower level of reporting for these subgroups, but also due to the absence of dose-response relationships with increasing exposures. The meta-analysis did not reveal any evidence of bias in the publication.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral that is fibrous which has been used in a variety of industrial products. Its resistance to fire, heat and corrosion makes it an ideal material for railroad locomotives and other machinery. However, asbestos is an health risk for those who handle it. When asbestos fibers are exposed they can break down into tiny strands, which then turn into airborne. Inhaling them, they may form a hole in the lung. They can cause various serious diseases, including mesothelioma.
When asbestos fibers are introduced into the lungs of a person they can cause irritation to the lung's lining. This irritation can lead to an increase in collagen which, over time, hardens and creates pleural plaques. This condition can lead to chest pain and difficulty breathing.
Another form of lung damage resulting from asbestos exposure is fibrosis, which creates scar tissue that interferes with breathing capacity of an individual. If not treated this condition could be fatal.
Contact an FELA lawyer as soon as you are a railroad worker who has been diagnosed with a condition related to asbestos. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist you in filing an action for compensation. To win railroad injury settlement amounts , you must prove that your exposure to a toxic substance while on the job caused your condition. FELA lawyers often collaborate with industrial safety experts referred to as industrial hygienists to review materials in the railroad workplace and determine if the railroad company was following proper workplace safety procedures.
Diesel Exhaust
Diesel exhaust is just one of the many carcinogenic fumes, as well as substances that railroad workers are exposed to on a regular basis. Excessive exposure to diesel exhaust has been linked with mesothelioma, lung cancer and a variety of other serious occupational diseases among railroad workers. Inhaling the engine exhaust and particulates can cause long-term health problems that may be difficult to treat.
Diesel fuel is used in locomotives, and the cab of a locomotive is a small space with little ventilation. Diesel exhaust can be breathed in by railroad workers, and it may be dragged back on themselves and their clothing when they leave the locomotive cab. Diesel exhaust can also be an issue for railroad employees who work in yards or shops because they are close to locomotives.
Diesel exhaust is known to be a source of carcinogenic and mutagenic substances that can be absorbed into bloodstream. These compounds can affect the bone marrow and blood, and cause damage to the respiratory tract. Researchers found that people who were exposed to diesel exhaust for the longest period of time were at the greatest risk of developing lung cancer.
Even after adjusting for smoking and other factors the mortality rate for lung cancer was significantly higher among railroad workers exposed to diesel exhaust. Multiple myeloma settlements is investigating claims from railroad workers who claim to have been ill-affected by exposure to diesel exhaust and other industrial toxic substances.