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 such as arsenic and 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 cancer lawyers can assist you to find fair financial compensation for your suffering.
Benzene
Benzene, an industrial solvent, can be found in the exhaust from diesel fuel. A lot of railroad workers, railway settlement calculator including conductors, engineers, machinists electricians, and conductors work in areas where they are exposed to diesel fumes.
One exposure to benzene could cause cancer in certain people. It is believed to cause acute meeloid leukemia (AML). This cancer begins in the bone marrow and then spreads into the blood. It is more common in men than in women and can be fatal if left untreated.
The immune system is susceptible to damage from benzene, railway settlement calculator – from the sites.google.com blog, and that’s why it’s a risk. This can cause infections and a decreased ability to fight germs. Benzene may also weaken bones and increase the risk of arthritis.
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a different serious consequence of benzene. The cancer forms start in the bone marrow, and expands into blood. It can affect the spleen and other organs of the body.
A study from 2015 revealed that even low levels benzene can increase the risk of developing leukemia by a third. Researchers looked into medical documents of 25,000 Norwegian oil crew members who worked for 20 days or more.
Despite the dangers of exposure to benzene is still used in numerous industrial and commercial operations. There are ways to lessen exposure and avoid poisoning from benzene.
Wearing eyewear that is protective and wearing appropriate clothes is one way to protect your eyes. This will stop benzene from getting in the eyes and nose. Also, you should wear a respirator whenever you can.
When you suspect that you have been exposed to benzene, you must immediately contact your doctor. This will allow you to determine any symptoms and reduce the risk of dying due to poisoning caused by benzene.
Benzene may also cause brain damage, along with various other forms of cancer. It can cause loss of memory and confusion. This can lead to a decline in the quality of life, and make it difficult to perform at work or at home.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a poisonous mineral that has been shown to cause serious diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. It is found in a variety of construction materials, including flooring tiles and pipe insulation.
As a result , asbestos exposure poses one of the most serious health risks to railroad workers. Railroad workers may be exposed to the toxic substance through various ways. Some of the most prevalent are:
A single exposure to asbestos may lead to mesothelioma, or other life-threatening cancers. The cancers, which develop in the lungs or the membrane that covers the lungs and abdominal cavity (the mesothelium) are usually fatal.
Fortunately, most people who are exposed to asbestos fibers will not develop any of the negative health issues that are linked to this substance. The majority of the fibers are coughed up, or will be transported away in a layer of mucus which protects the lungs. There are some asbestos fibers that could be stuck to your lungs for years or even decades.
Although the health effects of this condition can vary from person-to-person, it can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties, tightness in the chest and chest pain. It can also cause problems with swallowing or weight loss.
Children who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma and other forms of cancer. They are more likely to inhale harmful fibers through the mouth and nose. Their lung’s development is still in its early stages.
They inhale more asbestos fibers because they breathe at a faster speed and have a larger surface area to volume ratio than adults.
Since they are more prone to inhaling harmful fibers, children are at a particularly high risk of developing mesothelioma particularly if they have been in close contact with railroad cars. If they have a parent with mesothelioma, they are at a greater chance of developing the disease.
Creosote
During the 19th Century creosote was created to keep wood from rot and 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 and marine pilings.
It is a toxic compound and has been linked to many types of cancer. Some of them include lung, esophageal, and larynx cancers.
Workers in the wood preservation, asphalt and coke-production sectors are particularly at risk. Workers who do physical labor like maintenance of rail tracks or construction, for instance chimney sweeps, can also be exposed.
Creosote exposure can cause skin irritation, eyelid spasms and convulsions, along with chemical burns chemical burns, convulsions and even unconsciousness. It can also trigger respiratory problems and lung issues, similar to smoking cigarettes.
Creosote chemical is made from coal tar . It can be absorbed through the skin. It also can enter the body through contaminated food and water.
Railroad workers are exposed to creosote when they work near hazardous waste sites. These sites often contain large amounts of creosote and can cause contamination of water, soil and air.
Rail workers may also be exposed to creosote , if they work in the wood treatment sector. Many wood products such as fences and timber, are treated with creosote.
The people who work in these industries are often not protected with the proper equipment, which exposes them to creosote and other toxins. This could lead to serious health conditions, like cancer and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Creosote, an oily liquid that is amber to black in color. It also has a burning, caustic taste. It isn’t a contaminant in liquids and has a specific gravity range of 1.037 to 1.87. It is a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and phenolic compounds in addition to other chemicals. While coal is the most commonly used form, other forms of creosote can also be found.
Diesel Exhaust
Diesel exhaust is a byproduct of burning fuel and released into the air when diesel engines are used. It can also be released from diesel locomotives, construction and farm equipment, generators, ships and other industrial equipment.
People who work with diesel exhaust could be at a greater risk of developing cancer. This is due to the fact that they are more susceptible to exposure to the same chemicals as those working in other sectors.
Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust can cause lung cancer in laboratory animals like rats. Diesel exhaust can cause DNA changes in cells that make them more prone to cancerous growth.
Studies on the effects of diesel exhaust on humans have also proven that exposure to diesel exhaust can trigger a variety of health problems such as respiratory diseases like chronic bronchitis, emphysema and blood system disorders like bladder cancer, larynx (voice box), esophagus, stomach and pancreas. Other studies have connected diesel exhaust to certain cancers of the breast and prostate.
Diesel exhaust is regarded as a carcinogen by the American Cancer Society. It is classified as such in the International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of the World Health Organization).
Excessive exposure to diesel exhaust could cause serious health risks to employees who work with big engines and machines, including truck drivers or operators of toll booths. They may also be at risk when they spend a lot of time in locations that are prone to heavy diesel traffic like highways and cities.
In addition, employees of railroads who maintain and construct tracks and yards can be exposed to diesel fumes when they are working near locomotives or other equipment using diesel engines. These fumes pose a particular risk if they enter the cabins of locomotives or other machinery.
A study in laboratory rats found that exposure to diesel exhaust resulted in numerous lung tumors and inflammatory changes. Certain of these tumors were similar to lung adenocarcinoma. It is a form of cancer that occurs when the lungs’ cells develop rapidly and turn malignant.