Railroad Cancer
Railroads make use of millions of gallons of diesel fuel to transport freight trains over long distances. The extremely toxic diesel exhaust is rich in carcinogens like arsenic and benzene.
If you're an ex- or current railroad employee who has been diagnosed with cancer, you may be eligible for 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 is a solvent used in industry is found in the exhaust of diesel fuel. Many railroad workers, like conductors, engineers and machinists and electricians are employed in places where they are in contact with diesel fumes.
A single exposure to benzene may cause cancer in some people. Particularly, it is thought to cause acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This cancer begins in the bone marrow, and then spreads into the blood. It is more common for men than women and is deadly if left untreated.
The danger of benzene comes from the fact that it can cause harm to the immune system. This can result in a range of health problems such as infections and a decreased capacity to fight off germs. Benzene may also weaken bones and increase the risk of arthritis.
Another serious issue resulting from exposure to benzene is chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). This type of cancer starts in the bone marrow and then it spreads to blood. It may also affect the spleen as well as other parts of your body.
A 2015 study showed that even low levels benzene increases 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 had worked for more that 20 days.
Benzene is still utilized in a variety of industrial and commercial operations despite the dangers of exposure to it. There are ways to lessen exposure and prevent poisoning from benzene.
Wearing eye protection and appropriate clothes is one way to protect your eyes. This will stop benzene from getting in the eyes and nose. A respirator is recommended whenever feasible.
If Cancer Lawsuit suspect you have been exposed, immediately consult your physician. This will help you determine any symptoms and reduce the chance of dying due to poisoning caused by benzene.
Benzene can also cause brain damage, along with many other types of cancer. It can cause confusion and loss of memory. This condition can lead to a decline in quality of life, making it difficult to perform at work or at home.
Asbestos
Asbestos, a noxious mineral, has been shown to cause lung cancer and mesothelioma. It is found in many construction materials, including flooring tiles and pipe insulation.
As a consequence, asbestos exposure poses one of the greatest health risks for railroad workers. Railroad workers are exposed to asbestos in a variety of ways. Here are a few of the most frequent:
A single exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma, or other life-threatening cancers. These cancers can develop in the lungs, mesothelium (the membrane that surrounds the lung) and in the abdominal cavity.
Fortunately, most people who are exposed to asbestos fibers don't suffer from any of the dangerous diseases that can be linked to asbestos. Most fibers are released through coughing or as mucus. This helps protect the lungs. However there are a few types of asbestos fibers that will cling to your lungs and remain there for a long time or even decades.
The effects of this condition can vary from individual to individual, but it can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, trouble breathing or a tight feeling in the chest. Other symptoms include difficulty swallowing and weight loss.
Children who have been exposed to asbestos are at a greater risk of developing mesothelioma or another type of cancer since they are more likely to inhale asbestos-related fibers through their noses and mouths. Their lungs are still developing.
They breathe at a higher rate, and because their lungs have a larger volume-to-surface ratio than adults', they can inhale more asbestos fibers.
Because they are more vulnerable to inhaling harmful fibers, young children are at a particularly high chance of developing mesothelioma particularly if they have been in close proximity to railroad cars. If they have a relative who has mesothelioma, they are at greater chance of developing the disease.
Creosote
During the 19th Century, creosote was developed to help protect wood from rot as well as insect damage. It also saved railroad companies money by reducing the cost of replacing wood. Creosote is currently used to treat wood products. It is also used to protect log homes as well as marine pilings.
It is a toxic chemical and has been linked with a variety of cancers. These include lung, esophageal and larynx cancers.
People who work in the asphalt, wood preservation and coke-production industries are particularly vulnerable. People who work in physical labor like rail track maintenance or construction, such as chimney sweeps, can also be exposed.
Creosote exposure can cause eyelid irritation, skin spasms and convulsions, well as chemical burns, chemical burns, convulsions and unconsciousness. It can also affect the lung and cause respiratory problems over time, similar to smoking cigarettes.
Creosote, a substance derived by coal tar, can be absorbed through the skin. It can also be absorbed through contaminated food or water.
One of the major sources of exposure to creosote among railroad workers is working around the hazardous waste sites. These sites usually contain huge amounts of creosote that can cause contamination of water, soil and air.
Rail workers can also be exposed to creosote , if they work in the wood treatment industry. A variety of wood products, such as fences and lumber, are treated with creosote.
Those who work in these sectors are usually not protected with the proper equipment, which can expose workers to creosote as well as other toxic substances. This can lead to serious health conditions like cancer and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Creosote is an oily liquid that ranges from amber to black in color and possesses an acidic, burning taste. It is not a buoyant substance in water and has specific gravity ranging from 1.037 to 1.087. It is a mixture polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and phenolic compounds, as well as other chemicals. The most well-known form of creosote used is coal tar, however other forms are also used.
Diesel Exhaust
Diesel exhaust is a by-product of fuel combustion that is released into the air when you operate vehicles with diesel engines. Diesel exhaust can also be released by diesel locomotives, construction equipment, farm equipment generators, and other industrial equipment.
Diesel exhaust workers may be more at risk of developing cancer. This is due to the fact that they are frequently exposed to more of this substance than those who work in other sectors.
Certain studies have shown that exposure to diesel exhaust could cause lung cancer in laboratory animals such as rats. Diesel exhaust can trigger DNA changes in cells that make them more prone to cancerous growth.
Studies on the effects of diesel exhaust in humans have shown a range of health problems , including respiratory disorders like emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and blood system diseases such as bladder cancers and the voice box, stomach stomach, and pancreas. Other studies have connected diesel exhaust to certain cancers of the prostate and breast.
The American Cancer Society considers diesel exhaust to be a carcinogen. 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, such as truck drivers and operators of toll booths, are at a higher risk of developing cancer as a result of exposure to diesel exhaust. They could be at risk too in the event that they spend too much time in areas where heavy diesel traffic happens (e.g. highways or cities).
Railroad workers who construct and maintain tracks and yards can also be exposed to diesel fumes when they work near diesel engines or other machinery. The fumes could be harmful when they enter the cabins of locomotives and other equipment.
Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust has led to lung inflammation and cancer in laboratory rats. Some of these tumors looked like a kind of cancer known as a lung adenocarcinoma, which occurs when the cells within the lungs turn malignant and multiply rapidly.