Benzene, Butadiene, and Other Carcinogens on the Railroad
Many railroad employees are exposed to benzene, butadiene and other carcinogens on the job. You could be eligible for compensation for developing an illness that is grave, such as leukemia.
Leukemias can be found in lymphatic or bone marrow. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is one of the four main types of leukemia in adults.
Benzene
Benzene is a chemical that can be breathed in or absorbed through the skin. It is a contaminant of oil that is used to make nylons, plastics, and synthetic fibers. It is also used as a constituent in dyes and lubricants. It is a recognized cancerous substance that causes leukemia and other cancers like acute myelogenous lymphoma (AML) myelodysplastic disorders, and lymphomas.
Mineral spirits, solvents and degreasers can be used by railroad workers to expose them to benzene. When working on locomotives and freight cars and other vehicles, they are exposed diesel fumes and exhaust. Due to this exposure railroad workers are at a higher risk of developing chronic leukemia.
Colon cancer lawsuit settlements have demonstrated that exposure to benzene raises the risk of leukemia. A recent meta-analysis of 22 studies provided an overview of the effects of benzene exposure and the risk of AML and Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL).
The meta-analysis shows that occupational exposure to benzene increases the chance of developing these leukemias. However the results for AML and CLL were less than those for ALL. This could be due to a lower level of reporting for these subgroups, or due to the absence of dose-response interactions with increasing exposures. The meta-analysis did not find any evidence of bias in publication.
Asbestos
Asbestos, a mineral that is fibrous has been used to create thousands of industrial products. Its resistance to heat, fire and corrosion has is what made it a top choice for railroad locomotives and other equipment. However, asbestos is an health risk for those who work with it. When asbestos fibers are exposed they can break down into tiny strands, which then can then become airborne. They are then inhaled and can become lodged in a person's lungs. These can cause a number of serious illnesses, including mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers may cause irritation to the lining of the lung when they enter the lungs. railroad back injury settlements can result in a buildup of collagen that gets harder over time, and forms plaques in the pleura. This condition can lead to chest discomfort and breathing issues.
Fibrosis is yet another form of lung damage which can be caused by asbestos exposure. This scar tissue interferes with the ability to breathe. This condition can be fatal if left untreated.
Contact a FELA lawyer as soon as you are a railroad employee who has been diagnosed with a condition caused by asbestos. A mesothelioma lawyer can assist you file for compensation. To be able to win a claim, you must prove that your exposure to a toxic substance on the job led to your illness. FELA attorneys frequently work with industrial safety specialists called industrial hygienists in order to review materials at the railroad's workplace and determine if the railroad was following the correct occupational 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. The frequent exposure to diesel exhaust has been linked to lung cancer, as well as other serious occupational illnesses in railroad workers, including mesothelioma and pulmonary fibrosis. Inhaling engine exhaust and particulates could lead to long-term health issues that are difficult to treat.
railroad injury settlement amounts is used in locomotives, and the interior of a locomotive's cab is tiny with no ventilation. Railroad workers may be exposed to diesel exhaust by breathing it in the cab, as well as dragging it back on themselves and their clothes when they leave the cab. Diesel exhaust can also be an issue for railroad employees who work in yards or shops, since they are often in close proximity to locomotives.
Diesel exhaust contains mutagenic and cancerous compounds that can get into the bloodstream. These chemicals can cause harm to the respiratory system and blood, as well as the bone marrow. In a study which tracked dozens of workers who were regularly exposed to diesel exhaust, researchers found that those with the longest duration of exposure experienced the highest risk of lung cancer.
Even after controlling for smoking and other risk factors the mortality rate for lung cancer was significantly higher in railroad workers exposed to diesel emissions. The Lyon Firm is investigating claims from railroad workers who claim to have been exposed to diesel exhaust and other industrial toxic substances.