Railroad Cancer
Railroads make use of millions of gallons of diesel fuel to transport freight trains across long distances. This highly toxic diesel exhaust is high in carcinogens such as arsenic and benzene.
You may be entitled to compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) if you are a railroad worker who has been diagnosed as having cancer. Our knowledgeable Houston railroad lawyers can help you get fair financial compensation for your pain and suffering.
Benzene
The industrial solvent Benzene can be found that is found in the exhaust of diesel fuel. Many railroad workers, such as machinists and engineers, conductors, electricians, work in areas where they are exposed to diesel fumes.
One exposure to benzene could cause cancer in certain people. It is believed to cause acute meeloid leukemia (AML). This cancer begins in the bone marrow and then spreads into the blood. It is more prevalent in men than it is for women and could be fatal if it is not treated.
The danger of benzene is derived from the fact that it can harm the immune system. This can result in a range of health problems including infections and a reduced capacity to fight off germs. Benzene can also weaken bones and increase the risk of arthritis.
Another serious problem from exposure to benzene can be chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). This type of cancer starts in the bone marrow, and then spreads to blood. It may also affect the spleen as well as other organs in your body.
A study from 2015 revealed that even low levels benzene can increase leukemia risk by a third. Researchers examined medical records of 25,000 Norwegian oil rig workers who worked for at least 20 days.
Benzene is still used in a variety of industrial and commercial operations, despite the dangers of exposure to it. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce exposure to benzene and prevent poisoning.
Wearing protective eyewear and proper clothing is one of the ways to safeguard your eyes. This will stop benzene from getting in the eyes and nasal. Also, you should wear a respirator whenever you can.
If you suspect that you have been exposed to benzene in any way, you should contact your physician immediately. This will help you identify any symptoms you might be suffering from and help reduce the chance of death from benzene poisoning.
In addition to a variety of different types of cancer in addition, benzene may also affect the brain. It can cause confusion and memory loss. This can lead to a decrease in quality of life, making it difficult to perform at work or at home.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a poisonous mineral that has been shown to cause a variety of serious diseases including lung cancer as well as mesothelioma. It can be found in many building materials, including flooring tiles and pipe insulation.
As a result asbestos exposure is considered to be one of the biggest health risks to those who work in the railway industry. Railroad workers can become exposed to the toxic substance through numerous ways. Some of the most prevalent are:
One exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma and various other life-threatening cancers. These cancers can manifest in the lungs, mesothelium (the membrane that surrounds the lung) and the abdominal cavity.
Fortunately, the majority of people who are exposed to asbestos fibers will not develop any of the dangerous diseases that can be linked to this substance. Most fibers are released through coughing or in the form of mucus. This helps protect the lungs. There are asbestos fibers that may stick to your lungs for years or even for decades.
The health effects of this condition differ from individual to individual but it may cause shortness of breath or chest pain, difficulty breathing, or a tightness in the chest. The symptoms could also include difficulty swallowing or weight loss.
Children who have been exposed to asbestos are at a greater chance of developing mesothelioma, or another form of cancer since they are more likely to breathe asbestos-related fibers through their noses and mouths. The reason for this is because their lung tissue is still developing.
They breathe in more asbestos fibers as they breathe at a faster rate and have a greater surface area to volume ratio than adults.
Since they are more prone to inhaling the dangerous fibers, young children are at a particularly high risk of developing mesothelioma particularly if they have been in close contact with railroad vehicles. They are also at the risk of developing this disease when they have relatives who has mesothelioma.
Creosote
Creosote was developed in the 19th century to protect wood from rot and insect damage. Railroad companies were successful in saving money by reducing the cost of replacing wood. Creosote can still be used for treating wood products today. It can also be used to protect log homes and marine pilings.
It is a toxic chemical and has been linked with numerous cancers. Some of these include esophageal and lung cancers, and larynx cancers.
The health risks associated with creosote-related exposure are especially present in those who work in the wood preservation, coke-production and asphalt industries. People who work in physical labor like maintenance of rail tracks or construction, like chimney sweeps, could also be exposed.
Creosote exposure can cause skin irritation, eyelid convulsions and spasms, as in addition to chemical burns, convulsions, chemical burns, and unconsciousness. It can also cause respiratory problems and lung problems, much like smoking cigarettes.
Creosote is a chemical derived by coal tar, can be absorbed through the skin. It is also absorbed through contaminated food or water.
Railroad workers are exposed to creosote when they work close to hazardous waste sites. These sites typically contain huge quantities of creosote. This can infect water, soil, and even air.
Another source of exposure to creosote for rail employees is working in the wood treatment industry. Many wood products such as fences and lumber are treated with creosote.
They are usually not protected by protective equipment and are therefore exposed to toxic creosote and other substances. This could lead to serious health issues like chronic fatigue syndrome and cancer.
Creosote is an oily liquid that is amber to black in color. It also has the taste of burning and caustic. It isn't a contaminant in liquids and has an SG of 1.037 to 1.87. It is a mix of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and phenolic compounds as well as other chemicals. While coal is the most well-known form, different forms of creosote are also available.
Diesel Exhaust
Diesel exhaust is a byproduct from combustion of fuel and is released into the air when diesel engines are utilized. Diesel exhaust is also released by diesel locomotives, farm equipment, construction equipment generators, as well as other industrial equipment.
Workers who work near diesel exhaust are at a greater risk of developing cancer. This is due to the fact that they are more likely to be exposed than those who work in other industries.
Some studies show that long-term exposure to diesel exhaust could cause lung cancer in laboratory animals like rats. In some instances, the diesel exhaust could alter the DNA in cells which make them more likely to grow and become cancerous.
Studies of diesel exhaust in humans have also demonstrated that prolonged exposure to diesel exhaust can cause various health issues that include respiratory disorders such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema, as well as blood system diseases such as cancers of the bladder, larynx (voice box), esophagus, stomach and pancreas. Other studies have identified diesel exhaust as a cause of cancers of the breast and prostate.
Diesel exhaust is classified as carcinogens according to the American Cancer Society. It is classified as such in the International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of the World Health Organization).
People who work with big machines and engines, like truck drivers and operators of toll booths, may be at the highest risk of developing cancer as a result of exposure to exhaust fumes from diesel. They are also at high risk in the event that they spend a significant amount of time in locations where heavy diesel traffic happens, such as highways and cities.
Railroad workers who manage and construct yards and tracks can be exposed to diesel fumes if they work near diesel engines or other machinery. The fumes can be extremely dangerous when they get into the cabins of locomotives as well as other machinery.
Railroad Cancer Settlements -term exposure to diesel exhaust has led to lung inflammation and cancer in laboratory rats. Some of these tumors appeared similar to a type of cancer called a lung adenocarcinoma. The condition occurs when the cells in the lungs develop malignancy and begin to multiply and grow rapidly.