Railroad Cancer
Railroads employ millions of gallons of diesel fuel to transport freight trains over long distances. This extremely harmful diesel exhaust is high in carcinogens, including arsenic as well as benzene.
If you're a former or current railroad employee who has been diagnosed with cancer, you could be entitled to compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA). Our skilled Houston railroad lawyers can help you find fair financial compensation for the pain you've endured.
Benzene
Benzene, a solvent used in industrial processes is found in diesel fuel exhaust. Many railroad workers, including conductors, engineers, machinists electricians, and conductors work in areas that are exposed to diesel fumes.
Some people may develop cancer after one exposure to benzene. It is believed to cause acute meeloid leukemia (AML). The cancer starts in the bone marrow and spreads into the blood. It is more prevalent in men than in women and can be fatal if it is not treated.
Lung Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is susceptible to damage from the chemical benzene. This is why it's a risk. This can cause infections and a lower capability to fight off germs. Benzene may also weaken bones and increase the risk of developing arthritis.
Another serious problem from exposure to benzene is chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). This kind of cancer begins in the bone marrow and then spreads to the blood. It may affect the spleen or other parts of the body.
A study conducted in 2015 revealed that even low levels of benzene can increase the risk of developing leukemia by one-third. Researchers examined the medical documents of the medical records of 25,000 Norwegian oil-rig workers who had worked for more than 20 days.
Benzene is still used in a wide variety of industrial and commercial operations despite the risks of exposure to it. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce exposure and prevent benzene poisoning.
One way is to wear proper clothing and protective eyewear. This will help prevent benzene from getting in the eyes and nose. A respirator is recommended whenever possible.
If you suspect you have been exposed to benzene, it is recommended that you should call your doctor immediately. This will help identify any symptoms that you may have and lower the risk of dying from benzene poisoning.
In Lung Cancer Lawsuit Settlements to a range of different types of cancer in addition, benzene may also affect the brain. It can cause confusion and memory loss. If you suffer from this disorder it can cause a decrease in your quality of life and make it difficult to function at home or in the workplace.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a poisonous mineral that has been known to be the cause of many serious illnesses, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. It is present in a variety of construction materials, including pipes and floor tiles.
As a result asbestos exposure is among the most serious health risks to railroad workers. Railroad workers can become exposed to the toxic substance through many different ways, and some of the most common are:
One exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma and various other life-threatening cancers. The cancers that develop in the lungs or within the membrane which covers the lungs, and abdominal cavity (the mesothelium) are usually fatal.
Fortunately, the majority of people who are exposed to asbestos fibers do not develop any of the negative health problems that are associated with asbestos. The majority of the fibers will be coughed up, or will be carried away in mucus that protects the lungs. There are a few asbestos fibers that may be stuck to the lungs for many years or even for decades.
The health effects of this condition can vary from individual to individual but can cause shortness of breath chest pain, trouble breathing, or a tightness in the chest. Symptoms may also include trouble swallowing or weight loss.
Asbestos-exposed children are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other forms of cancer. They are more likely to breathe harmful fibers through the nose and mouth. The reason for this is that their lungs are still developing.
They breathe at a quicker rate, and because their lungs have a larger surface area to volume ratio than adults', they are able to inhale more asbestos fibers.
Because they are more vulnerable to inhaling harmful fibers, young children are at a high risk of developing mesothelioma, particularly when they've been in close contact with railroad vehicles. If they have a family member who is suffering from mesothelioma are at an increased risk of developing the disease.
Creosote
In the 19th century the development of creosote helped help protect wood from rot as well as insects, thus saving railroad companies money by cutting down on the cost of replacing wood. Creosote is still used to treat wood products in the present. It is also used to protect log homes as well as marine pilings.
It is a poisonous chemical and has been linked to a number of cancers. Some of these include esophageal and lung cancers, and larynx cancers.
The health risks associated with creosote exposure are especially significant for those working in the wood preservation, coke production and asphalt industries. Chimney sweeps, and workers who perform physical labor, such as rail track maintenance and construction could also be exposed creosote.
Creosote exposure can cause eyelid irritation, skin spasms and convulsions as in addition to chemical burns, convulsions, chemical burns and unconsciousness. It can also affect the lung and cause respiratory issues over time, similar to smoking cigarettes.
Creosote is a substance that is made from coal tar . It is able to be absorbed through the skin. It is also absorbed through contaminated food or water.
Railroad workers are exposed to the toxins of creosote when they work near hazardous waste sites. These sites typically contain huge amounts of creosote that can cause contamination of water, soil, and air.
Another source of creosote exposure for rail workers is working in the wood treatment industry. Many wood products such as fences and lumber are treated with creosote.
These workers are typically not protected by protective equipment which could expose them to toxic creosote and other substances. This can cause serious health problems like chronic fatigue syndrome and cancer.
Creosote is an oily liquid with a burning, bitter taste, is amber-black in color. It is non-buoyant in water and has specific gravity ranging from 1.037 to 1.087. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons phenolic compounds and other chemicals. While coal tar is the most common form, different forms of creosote can also be found.
Diesel Exhaust
Diesel exhaust is a by-product of combustion that is released into the air when you operate vehicles with diesel engines. Diesel exhaust is also released by diesel locomotives farm equipment, construction equipment, generators and other industrial equipment.
People who work around diesel exhaust are at a higher risk of developing cancer. This is because they are exposed to more of this substance than people who work in other industries.
Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust can cause lung carcinoma in laboratory animals like rats. Diesel exhaust can trigger DNA modifications in cells, making them more prone to cancerous growth.
Studies on the effects of diesel exhaust on humans have also revealed that heavy exposure can cause various health issues that include respiratory disorders such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema, as well as blood system disorders like bladder cancers, larynx (voice box), esophagus, stomach and the pancreas. Some cancers of the breast, prostate and stomach have been linked to diesel exhaust.
The American Cancer Society considers diesel exhaust to be a carcinogen. It is classified as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer that is part of the World Health Organization.
Exposure to diesel exhaust may pose a significant risk to those who work with large engines and machines, such as truck drivers or toll booth operators. They may be at risk too if they spend too much time in areas that see a lot of diesel traffic (e.g. cities or highways).
Railroad workers who build and maintain yards and tracks can be exposed to diesel fumes when they work near diesel engines or other machines. These fumes can be particularly hazardous when they are in the cabins of locomotives and other machinery.
A study of laboratory rats found that exposure to diesel exhaust triggered several lung tumors and inflammatory changes. Some of these tumors appeared similar to a type of cancer known as a lung adenocarcinoma, which occurs when the cells in the lungs turn malignant and grow and divide rapidly.