Railroad Settlements and Asbestos

In 1862, Congress passed the Pacific Railroad Act which provided funding for two transcontinental railroad companies through granting large grants of lands for rights-of-way. Railroad workers who develop cancer as a result of exposure to their workplaces are able to sue 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 a massive exposure to creosote and benzene, both of which were used to protect and waterproof railroad ties made of wooden.

Creosote

Coal tar – a wood preserver, can be used to shield railroad tie from heat, sun and cold, rain, and snow. Workers are exposed to toxic chemicals and solvents, including benzene, during the application of coal creosote tar. Benzene is a well-known carcinogen causes 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 attorneys have successfully prosecuted several lawsuits against Union Pacific Railroad involving coal-tar creosote exposure. One of these cases ended in an $7.500,000 verdict. The plaintiff was a track employee who developed acute myeloid leukemia as a result of exposure to the chemical compound that is toxic on his job over 31 years. The jury concluded that the railroad how did the railroads affect the settlement of the west not provide any personal protective equipment, and frequently exposed him to a diverse range of toxic chemicals like coal-tar creosote, coal tar distillates, naphtha, carbolineum and other cleaning solvents.

Another theory was the use of copper naphthalenate as an alternative to creosote from coal tar. Although it is less harmful to the environmental than creosote, is extremely dangerous. Copper naphthenate is a carcinogen and can cause skin, nerve and lung damage. It also has the potential to contaminate soil and groundwater with benzene.

Benzene

Benzene is a colorless, liquid petroleum hydrocarbon, Railroad knee injury Settlements is used to manufacture resins, plastics and synthetic fibers. It is also found in diesel fuel and railroad knee injury Settlements exhaust. Diesel fumes are commonly inhaled rad caused by railroad how to get a settlement virtually all railroad workers. Benzene, a known carcinogen, has been linked with leukemia and the myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

There is no safe exposure level to benzene. It can be inhaled or absorbed through the surface of the skin. Long-term exposure to benzene can damage the blood, causing irregular menstrual flow, anemia and fertility issues. It has also been linked to certain types of cancer, including breast and lung cancer.

Inhaling benzene inhalation is the most dangerous. Inhaling benzene can cause headaches, dizziness and nosebleeds. It can also affect your immune system and trigger infections.

A recent report highlighted the higher levels of benzene that were found in the air near two Chicago train stations. Commuters as well as railroad workers and city residents were exposed to the high levels of pollution. Schools were closed for classes and cities urged residents to take shelter. Railroad workers, for instance car department employees and electricians, locomotive mechanics and pipefitters, use benzene containing products like Safety-Kleen part washers CRC Brakleen, as well as paints thinners, paints and other items. It is also found in printing solvents.

Asbestos

The asbestos usage in the railroad industry began in the early days. Asbestos is a class of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that were once widely used in construction due to their fire-retardant, fire-retardant, corrosion-resistant and insulate properties. Inhaling these fibers can cause serious health problems such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. These health conditions can take up to 30 years before symptoms begin to manifest.

The EPA has prohibited asbestos mining and processing in the United States however, it can be found in many products. This includes certain kinds of paper, flooring felt, and fake fireplace embers. When these materials are exposed to heat or water they could release asbestos fibers. These fibers can also be released into air during demolition or renovations.

A recent study has shown that exposure to benzene just for five years significantly increases the risk of developing acute myeloid lymphoma (AML). Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms such as night sweats, or a sudden weight loss. They may perform the test of blood to check for AML.

The EPA has settled a case against Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. GWRSI operates locomotives that emit nitrogen oxides and fine particulates (PM2.5) when they run on diesel fuel. This EPA settlement mandates that GWRSI replace any of its current locomotives with newer models that are compliant with EPA emissions standards.

Diesel Exhaust

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

In reality, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel exhaust as a Group 1 carcinogen. Moreover, diesel exhaust is a cause of respiratory illnesses in the form of bronchiopulmonary illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. A 2006 article published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives linked railroad worker’s work and COPD rates.

Locomotive and rail cars belch diesel exhaust when they are running and idle in roundhouses, depots, shops and yards. The engines and machinery that are idling emit gases in addition diesel fumes, which include nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.

The smell of diesel exhaust is usually evident in the cabs of locomotives, where engineers and conductors sit for up to six hours at one time. When people enter or leave the cabs, the engine as well as equipment release more diesel exhaust fumes, creating a hazard for railway settlement calculator cancer and pulmonary problems.

In poorly ventilated roundhouses workshops, shops, and roundhouses, railroad knee injury settlements; visit the up coming post, mechanics face a high level of exposure to diesel exhaust. They work in enclosed spaces that contain track equipment, locomotives and asbestos-insulated steam boilers.

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