Benzene, Butadiene, and Other Carcinogens on the Railroad
Many railroad employees are exposed to benzene, butadiene, and other carcinogens on the job. If you develop a serious disease such as leukemia, then you could be eligible for compensation.
Leukemias can develop in lymphatic or bone marrow. Chronic lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is one of the four main types of leukemia in adults.
Benzene
It is a chemical that can be absorbed through inhalation or through the skin. It is a crude oil by-product utilized in the manufacture of resins, plastics synthetic fibers and nylons. It is also used in lubricants, dyes paints, detergents drugs and pesticides. It is a known carcinogen that causes leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) myelodysplastic syndromes and lymphomas.
Mineral spirits, solvents, and degreasers are employed by railroad workers to expose them to benzene. When working on railroad back injury settlements or freight cars and other vehicles, they are exposed exhaust fumes and diesel fumes. Due to this exposure railroad workers are at a greater risk of developing chronic leukemia.
Numerous epidemiological studies have shown an increased risk of leukemia with an increase in exposure to benzene. A recent meta-analysis of 22 studies gave summaries of effects estimates for exposure to benzene as well as the risk of AML and Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL).
The results from the meta-analysis suggest that exposure to occupational benzene significantly increases the risk of developing these leukemias. However the results for AML and CLL were weaker than for ALL. This could be due to the lower reporting rate for these subgroups, in addition due to the lack of dose response with the increase in exposure. The meta-analysis found no evidence of bias in the publication.
Asbestos
Asbestos, a fibrous mineral that has been used to create thousands of industrial products. Its resistance to heat, fire and corrosion has was a major reason for its use for railroad locomotives as well as other equipment. However, asbestos can pose a health risk when workers handle it. When asbestos fibers are exposed they can break down to microscopic strands that become airborne. They are then inhaled and can become lodged in the lungs of a person. They can trigger a variety of serious illnesses, including mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers can cause irritation to the lining of the lung when they enter the lungs. This irritation can cause the formation of collagen which becomes harder over time, creating plaques in the pleural cavity. This condition can cause chest pain and breathing problems.
Fibrosis is another kind of lung damage that can be caused by asbestos exposure. The scar tissue interferes with breathing. This condition can be fatal if not treated.
If you are a railroad worker who was diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease and you are concerned about it, seek out an FELA attorney as soon as you can. An attorney for mesothelioma can help you file for compensation. To win a compensation claim you must prove that exposure to harmful substances while on the job led to your illness. FELA lawyers frequently work with industrial safety experts referred to as industrial hygienists to review substances in the workplace of railroads and determine if the company was following proper occupational safety practices.
Diesel Exhaust
Diesel exhaust is one of the many carcinogenic fumes as well as materials that railroad workers are exposed to on a regular basis. Excessive exposure to diesel exhaust has been linked to lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other serious occupational illnesses among railroad workers. Inhaling particulates and engine exhaust may cause long-term health issues that are difficult to treat.
Diesel fuel is used in locomotives, and the cabin of a locomotive is tiny and has no ventilation. Diesel exhaust can be breathed in by railroad workers, and it may also be dragged back onto themselves and their clothing when they leave the cab of the locomotive. Diesel exhaust is also an issue for railroad employees who work in shops or yards, since they are often near to locomotives.
Diesel exhaust is a source of mutagenic and cancerous compounds that may enter the bloodstream. These chemicals can harm the bone marrow and blood and cause damage the respiratory tract. Researchers found that people who were exposed to diesel exhaust for a long period of time were at the highest risk of developing lung cancer.
Lung cancer mortality was significantly higher among railroad workers exposed to diesel exhaust, even after controlling for smoking-related death rates and other factors. The Lyon Firm is investigating a number of claims made by railroad workers who were ill from frequent exposure to diesel exhaust, solvents and other industrial toxic exposures.