Railroad Cancer
Railroads make use of millions of gallons of diesel fuel to transport freight trains over long distances. This extremely toxic diesel exhaust is a source of carcinogens such arsenic benzene and dioxin.
You may be eligible for compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) when you're an employee of a railroad who has been diagnosed as having cancer. Our Houston railroad cancer lawyers will help you get fair financial compensation to your suffering.
Benzene
Benzene is a solvent used in industry is found in diesel fuel exhaust. Many railroad workers, like conductors, engineers and machinists and electricians are employed in places where they are in contact with diesel fumes.
Some people may develop cancer after an exposure to benzene for a short period of time. Particularly, it is known to cause acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This cancer begins in the bone marrow, and then spreads to blood. It is more prevalent in men than in women and can be fatal if not treated.
The immune system is susceptible to damage from the chemical benzene. This is the reason it is a risk. This can lead to a range of health problems including infections and a diminished capability to fight off germs. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements can also weaken bones and increase the risk of arthritis.
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is another serious negative side effect of benzene. This kind of cancer begins in the bone marrow, and then spreads into the blood. It may affect the spleen or other organs of the body.
A study from 2015 showed that even low levels of benzene increases the risk of developing leukemia by three-quarters. Researchers examined the medical records of more than 25,000 Norwegian oil-rig workers who had worked for more that 20 days.
Benzene is still used in many industrial and commercial operations despite the risks of being exposed to it. There are ways to lessen exposure to and avoid poisoning from benzene.
Wearing protective eyewear and proper clothing is a way to safeguard your eyes. This will help prevent benzene from getting in the eyes and nose. A respirator should be used as often as possible.
If you suspect you have been exposed to benzene, it is recommended that you must contact your doctor right away. This will help identify any symptoms that you may have and will help to reduce the risk of death from benzene poisoning.
In addition to a variety of different types of cancer, benzene also has the ability to affect the brain. It can lead to a loss of memory and confusion. This condition can cause a decrease in quality of life and make it difficult to perform at work or at home.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a toxic mineral, has been found to be a cause of lung cancer and mesothelioma. It is found in a wide range of materials used in construction, such as pipe insulation and floor tiles.
As a result asbestos exposure is considered to be one of the most serious health risks for those working in the industry of railroads. Railroad workers are exposed to asbestos in a variety of ways. Here are a few of the most common:
One exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma, among other cancers that can be life-threatening. The cancers, which develop in the lungs , or in the membrane that surrounds the lungs and abdominal cavity (the mesothelium) can be 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 this substance. Most fibers will be expelled through coughing or in the form of mucus. This helps protect the lung. However there are a few kinds of asbestos fibers which will stick to your lungs and remain there for years or even decades.
While the health effects of this condition are different from person-to-person, they can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath as well as breathing problems, tightness in the chest and chest pain. Symptoms may also include trouble swallowing or weight loss.
Children who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma or another type of cancer as they are more likely to inhale asbestos fibers that are harmful through their noses and mouths. Their lung's are still developing.
They inhale more asbestos fibers since they breathe at a faster speed and have a larger volume to surface ratio than adults.
Since they are more prone to inhaling dangerous fibers, young children are at a particularly high chance of developing mesothelioma especially if they've been in close proximity to railroad cars. They also are at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma in the event of a family member who has mesothelioma.
Creosote
In the 19th century Creosote was invented to help protect wood from rot as well as insect damage, saving railroad companies money by reducing the cost of replacing wood. Creosote is currently used to treat wood products. It can also be used to protect log homes and marine pilings.
It is a toxic chemical and has been linked to a variety of cancers. Some of these include esophageal, lung and larynx cancers.
People who work in the wood preservation, asphalt and coke-production sectors are at particular risk. Workers who do physical labor such as maintenance of rail tracks or construction work, such as chimney sweeps, might also be exposed.
Creosote exposure can cause irritation of the skin and eyes chemical burns, eyelid spasms convulsions, mental confusion, kidney problems, unconsciousness, and even death. It can also trigger respiratory problems and lung problems, similar to smoking.
Creosote, a chemical, is made by coal tar and can be absorbed through the skin. It can also be consumed through food that is contaminated or water.
One of the major sources of exposure to creosote for railroad workers is working around the hazardous waste sites. These sites typically contain large amounts of creosote and could contaminate water, soil and air.
Another source of creosote exposure for rail workers is working 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, and this exposes them to creosote , as well as other poisons. This could lead to serious health conditions such as cancer and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Creosote, a liquid that is oily that has a bitter, burning taste, is amber-black in color. It is non-buoyant in water and has an SG of 1.037 to 1.087. It is a mix of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phenolic compounds, and various other chemicals. While coal is the most well-known form, other types of creosote also exist.
Diesel Exhaust
Diesel exhaust is a byproduct from combustion of fuel and is released into the air when diesel engines are utilized. It can also be released from diesel locomotives, farm and construction equipment generators, ships and other industrial equipment.
Workers who work near diesel exhaust could be at greater risk of developing cancer. This is because they are more susceptible to being exposed to radiation than workers in other sectors.
A few studies suggest that long-term exposure to diesel exhaust can cause lung cancer in laboratory animals, such as rats. Diesel exhaust can cause DNA changes in cells , which make them more susceptible to cancerous growth.
Studies on diesel exhaust in humans have revealed a wide range of health problems including respiratory diseases like emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and blood system diseases like bladder cancer and the voice box, stomach, pancreas, and stomach. Other studies have found a link between diesel exhaust and cancers of the breast and prostate.
The American Cancer Society considers diesel exhaust to be carcinogen. It is classified as such by the International Agency for Research on Cancer which is part of the World Health Organization.
People who work with big machines and engines, like truck drivers and operators of toll booths, could be at a high chance of developing cancer due to diesel exhaust exposure. They could also be at risk when they spend a lot of time in areas where heavy diesel traffic happens (e.g. cities or highways).
Railroad workers who build and maintain yards and tracks may be exposed to diesel fumes if they work near diesel engines or other machinery. These fumes can be particularly hazardous when they enter the cabins of locomotives as well as other machinery.
A study on laboratory rats found that exposure for a long time to diesel exhaust triggered various lung tumors and inflammatory changes. Certain of these tumors appeared like a form of cancer called a lung adenocarcinoma, which occurs when the cells in the lungs are malignant and multiply rapidly.