Railroad Cancer
Railroads burn millions of gallons of diesel fuel to run freight trains over long distances. This highly polluting diesel exhaust is high in carcinogens, including arsenic as well as benzene.
You may be eligible for compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) If you're a railroad worker who has been diagnosed as having cancer. Our knowledgeable Houston railroad lawyers can help you get fair financial compensation for the pain you've endured.
Benzene
Benzene is a solvent used in industry is found in the exhaust of diesel fuel. A lot of railroad workers, including conductors and engineers, machinists, electricians, work in areas that are exposed to diesel fumes.
One exposure to benzene can cause cancer in certain people. It is known to cause acute meeloid leukemia (AML). This cancer begins in the bone marrow and expands into blood. It is more common in men than it is in women , and can be fatal if left untreated.
The dangers of benzene stem from the fact that it could affect the immune system. This can cause various health issues like infections and a lower ability to fight off germs. Benzene can cause bone weakness and increase the risk for arthritis.
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is another serious adverse effect of benzene. This kind of cancer begins in the bone marrow and then spreads to blood. It may affect the spleen or other organs.
A study from 2015 revealed that even low levels benzene can increase the risk of developing leukemia by a third. Researchers looked at the medical documents of the medical records of 25,000 Norwegian oil-rig workers who been working for more than 20 days.
Despite the dangers of exposure to benzene in the workplace, it is still utilized in many commercial and industrial operations. Fortunately, there are ways to limit exposure and prevent poisoning with benzene.
One way is to wear the right clothing and protective eyewear. This will help prevent benzene from entering the nose and eyes. A respirator should be used whenever it is possible.
If you suspect you have been exposed to benzene you must contact your doctor right away. This will enable you to identify any symptoms and reduce the risk of dying from poisoning caused by benzene.
Benzene is also known to cause brain damage, along with many other types of cancer. It can lead to a loss of memory and confusion. If you suffer from this disorder it could cause the quality of life and make it difficult for you to perform at home or in the workplace.
Asbestos
Asbestos is an extremely toxic mineral that has been known to cause a variety of serious diseases including lung cancer as well as mesothelioma. It is present in many building materials, including pipes and floor tiles.
As a result asbestos exposure is among the most serious health risks to railroad workers. Railroad workers can be exposed to asbestos in a variety of ways. Here are some of the most commonly used:
One exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma as well as other cancers that are life-threatening. The cancers that develop within the lungs or in the membrane that covers the lungs as well as the abdominal cavity (the mesothelium) are usually fatal.
The majority of people who have been exposed to asbestos fibers won't suffer from any of the health issues that can be caused by this substance. Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements of asbestos fibers are eliminated through coughing or in the form of mucus. This helps protect the lungs. There are a few asbestos fibers that can be stuck to the lungs for many years or even for decades.
Although the health effects of this condition can differ between individuals, they can result in chest pain, breath shortness and breathing difficulties, tightness in the chest and chest pain. Other symptoms include difficulty swallowing and weight loss.
Children who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other types of cancer. They are more likely to breathe harmful fibers through their nose and mouth. Their lung's are still developing.
They breathe at a faster rate, and since their lungs have a larger volume-to-surface ratio than adults', they are able to inhale more asbestos fibers.
Cancer Lawsuit are more likely to breathe in the harmful fibers than adults and are at a higher risk if they've lived in close proximity to railway cars. They also stand the risk of developing this disease if they have an ancestor who has mesothelioma.
Creosote
During the 19th Century Creosote was invented to help protect wood from rot as well as insect damage. It also saved railroad companies money by cutting down on the cost of replacing wood. Today, creosote is still used to treat wood products. It can also be used to protect log homes and marine pilings.
It is a toxic substance and has been linked with various cancers. These include esophageal, lung and larynx cancers.
Workers in the asphalt, wood preservation and coke production industries are particularly at risk. Workers who perform physical work such as maintenance of rail tracks or construction, for instance chimney sweeps, could also be exposed.
Creosote's exposure can cause irritation of the eyes and skin chemical burns, eyelid spasms, convulsions, mental confusion, unconsciousness, kidney problems and death. It can also affect the lung and cause respiratory problems over time, similar to smoking cigarettes.
Creosote is a chemical that is made from coal tar and can be taken up through the skin. It can also be taken in through food items that are contaminated or water.
Railroad workers are exposed to creosote if they work close to hazardous waste sites. Cancer Lawsuit contain huge quantities of creosote, which can cause contamination of water, soil, and even air.
Another way to expose yourself to creosote for employees of rail companies is when they work in the wood treatment industry. A variety of wood products, such as fences and timber, are treated with creosote.
Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements who work in these sectors are usually not protected with the proper equipment, which exposes them to creosote and other contaminants. This can lead to serious health conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome and cancer.
Creosote, an oily liquid that ranges from black to amber in color. It has burnt, caustic flavor. It isn't buoyant in water and has an SG of 1.037 to 1.087. It is a mix of aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons, phenolic compounds, as well as other chemicals. The most commonly used form of creosote is called coal tar, however other forms are also used.
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 can also be released by diesel locomotives as well as construction equipment, farm equipment generators, as well as other industrial equipment.
Workers who work near diesel exhaust could be at a greater risk of developing cancer. This is because they are more susceptible to being exposed to radiation than workers in other sectors.
Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust can cause lung carcinoma in laboratory animals, such as rats. Diesel exhaust can trigger DNA changes in cells , which make them more prone to cancerous growth.
Studies on the effects of diesel exhaust in humans have also revealed a wide range of health issues, including respiratory disorders such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis and blood system diseases like cancers of the bladder and voice box, stomach, pancreas, stomach, and. Some cancers of the prostate, stomach, and breast have been linked to diesel exhaust.
Diesel exhaust is classified as carcinogens by the American Cancer Society. It is classified as such by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of the World Health Organization).
Diesel exhaust exposure may be a serious risk for employees who work with big engines and machines, like truck drivers or toll booth operators. They could also be at high risk when they spend a lot of time in locations where heavy diesel traffic happens such as highways and cities.
Railroad workers who maintain and build yards and tracks may be exposed to diesel fumes if they work near diesel engines or other machinery. The fumes can pose a risk when they enter the cabins of locomotives or other machinery.
A study in laboratory rats showed that long-term exposure to diesel exhaust resulted in several lung tumors and the development of inflammatory changes. Certain of these tumors were comparable to lung adenocarcinoma. This is a form of cancer that develops when lungs' cells grow rapidly and become malignant.