Railroad Cancer
Railroads burn millions of gallons diesel fuel in order to operate freight trains over long distances. The extremely harmful diesel exhaust is high in carcinogens including arsenic and benzene.
You may be eligible for compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) if you are railroad employee who has been diagnosed with cancer. Our Houston railroad cancer lawyers can help you obtain fair financial compensation for your suffering.
Benzene
Benzene, a solvent used in industrial processes, can be found in the exhaust from diesel fuel. Many railroad employees, including conductors, engineers, machinists and electricians, work in areas where they are exposed to diesel fumes.
Some people may develop cancer as a result of an exposure to benzene for a short period of time. It is believed to cause acute meeloid leukemia (AML). The cancer begins in the bone marrow, and then spreads to the blood. It is more common in men than in women and is deadly if left untreated.
The immune system can be damaged by benzene. That's why it's a risk. This can result in infections and a decreased capacity to fight germs. Benzene may cause bone weakness and increase the risk of arthritis.
Railroad Workers 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 can affect the spleen and other body parts.
A study in 2015 found that even low levels of benzene can increase leukemia risk by a third. Researchers examined the medical records of the medical records of 25,000 Norwegian oil-rig workers who had worked for more that 20 days.
Despite the risk of being exposed to benzene, it is still used in numerous industrial and commercial operations. There are methods to minimize exposure and prevent poisoning by benzene.
One way to do this is to wear proper clothes and eyewear that is protected. This will stop benzene out of the eyes and nose. A respirator should be utilized whenever it is possible.
If you suspect that you've been exposed to benzene, you must immediately consult your physician. This will help identify any symptoms you might have and will help to lower the risk of dying from benzene poisoning.
In addition to the occurrence of a variety of different types of cancer, benzene also has the ability to affect the brain. It can cause loss of memory and confusion. This can cause a decline in quality of life, making it difficult to perform at work or at home.
Asbestos
Asbestos, a toxic mineral, has been found to cause lung cancer as well as mesothelioma. It is found in many building materials, including pipes and floor tiles.
As consequently, asbestos exposure is one of the biggest health risks to people who work in the industry of railroads. Railroad workers can be exposed to asbestos in many different ways. Some of the most common include:
One exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma and other life-threatening cancers. The cancers, which develop within the lungs or in the membrane which covers the lungs, and abdominal cavity (the mesothelium) can be fatal.
Fortunately, most people who are exposed to asbestos fibers will not develop any of the harmful health conditions linked to this substance. The majority of the fibers are expelled, or be transported away in mucus which protects the lungs. However there are certain kinds of asbestos fibers that can stick to your lung tissue and stay there for a long time or even decades.
The health effects of this condition can vary from individual to individual but it can result in shortness of breath or chest pain, difficulty breathing, or a tight feeling in the chest. Other signs include difficulty swallowing and weight loss.
Children exposed to asbestos are at higher chance of developing mesothelioma or other forms of cancer. They are more likely to inhale harmful fibers through the nose and mouth. The reason is that their lung tissue is still developing.
They breathe at a higher rate, and since their lungs are larger in volume to surface ratio than adults', they are able to inhale more asbestos fibers.
Because they are more susceptible to inhaling harmful fibers, young children are at a particularly high risk of developing mesothelioma especially when they have been in close proximity to railroad vehicles. They are also at the risk of developing mesothelioma in the event of an ancestor who has mesothelioma.
Creosote
In the 19th century creosote was created to preserve wood from rot and insect damage, 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 can also be used to protect log homes as well as marine pilings.
It is a poisonous chemical that has been linked with a variety of cancers. Some of these include esophageal, lung and larynx cancers.
Workers in the wood preservation, asphalt and coke-production industries are particularly vulnerable. People who work in physical labor such as maintenance of rail tracks or construction, such as 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 issues, and death. It can also affect the lungs and cause respiratory problems over time, just like smoking.
Creosote chemical, which is made by coal tar, can be absorbed through skin. It is also consumed through food that is contaminated or water.
Railroad workers are exposed to creosote when they work near hazardous waste sites. These sites usually contain huge amounts of creosote that can contaminate soil, water and air.
Another way to expose yourself to creosote for rail employees is when they work in the wood treatment industry. A variety of wood products, such as fences and timber, are treated with creosote.
Those who work in these industries are often not provided with protective equipment, which could expose them to creosote and poisons. This can lead to serious health problems like chronic fatigue syndrome and cancer.
Creosote, an oily liquid with a burning, bitter taste, is an amber-black color. It is non-buoyant in water and has specific gravity ranging from 1.037 to 1.087. It is a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons phenolic compounds, as well as other chemicals. The most popular form of creosote is called coal tar, but other forms are also available.
Diesel Exhaust
Diesel exhaust is a byproduct of fuel combustion and is released into the air when diesel engines are utilized. It can also be released from diesel locomotives, construction and farm equipment, generators, ships and other industrial equipment.
People who work around diesel exhaust could be at a higher risk of developing cancer. This is because they are often exposed to more of this substance than those who work in other industries.
Some research shows that long-term exposure to diesel exhaust could cause lung cancer in laboratory animals like rats. Diesel exhaust can cause DNA changes in cells , which make them more prone to cancerous growth.
Studies on diesel exhaust in humans have also identified a variety of health problems including respiratory disorders like emphysemaor chronic bronchitis, as well as blood system diseases such as bladder cancer and the voice box, stomach, pancreas, stomach, and. Other studies have linked diesel exhaust to some cancers of the breast and prostate.
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).
Exposure to diesel exhaust may cause serious health risks to people who work with huge engines and machines, such as truck drivers or operators of toll booths. They could be at risk too if they spend too much time in areas where heavy diesel traffic happens (e.g. cities or highways).
In addition, employees of railroads who maintain and construct yards and tracks can be exposed to diesel fumes while they work near locomotives or other equipment using diesel engines. These fumes can be hazardous in the cabins of machinery such as locomotives and other machines.
Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust caused lung cancers and inflammation in laboratory rats. Certain of these tumors appeared like a particular type of cancer known as lung adenocarcinoma, which occurs when the cells within the lungs develop malignancy and grow and divide rapidly.