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Benzene, Butadiene, and Other Carcinogens on the Railroad

Many railroad injury settlement amounts employees are exposed to benzene, butadiene and other carcinogens during the job. You may be entitled compensation for developing an illness that is serious, such as leukemia.

Leukemias can develop in lymphatic tissues or bone marrow. CLL (chronic lymphocytic Leukemia) is one of the four major types of adult leukemia.

Benzene

It is a chemical that can be absorbed through inhalation or through the skin. It is an oil by-product that is used in the production of resins, plastics nylons, and synthetic fibers. It is also used as a constituent in lubricants and dyes. It is a known cancerous substance that causes leukemia as well as other cancers like acute myelogenous lymphoma (AML) and myelodysplastic diseases and lymphomas.

Mineral spirits, solvents, and degreasers can be used by railroad workers to expose them to benzene. They are also exposed to diesel fuel and exhaust fumes when working on locomotives, freight cars and other rail settlement plan equipment. Because of this exposure, railroad workers are at a greater chance of developing chronic leukemia.

Numerous epidemiologic studies have shown that exposure to benzene increases the risk of leukemia. A meta-analysis of 22 studies gave summary estimates of the effects of benzene on AML, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia(ALL) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia(CLL).

The results from the meta-analysis show that occupational benzene exposure significantly increases the risk of these leukemias. However, the results for AML and CLL were weaker than for ALL. This may be due to a lower percentage of reporting for these subgroups, but also due to the lack of dose-response interactions with increasing exposures. The meta-analysis did not find any evidence of bias in the publication.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral has been used to make thousands of industrial products. Its resistance to fire, heat and corrosion makes it a perfect material for railroad locomotives as well as other equipment. Asbestos is a danger to those who handle it. When exposed to asbestos, asbestos fibers can break down into tiny particles that are then airborne. They can then be breathed in and can become lodged in a person's lungs. They can trigger various serious illnesses, including mesothelioma.

When asbestos fibers enter the lungs of a patient they can cause irritation to lining of the lungs. This irritation can cause a buildup of collagen that becomes harder over time, creating pleural plaques. This condition can cause chest pain and breathing issues.

Another form of lung damage that is caused by asbestos exposure is fibrosis, which results in scar tissue that affects breathing capacity of an individual. If left untreated the condition can become fatal.

Contact a FELA lawyer immediately if you are a railroad worker who has been diagnosed with a disease caused by asbestos. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can assist you in filing a claim for compensation. To be successful in a compensation claim you must prove that exposure to harmful substances while on the job caused your condition. FELA lawyers often collaborate with industrial safety experts, also known as industrial hygienists to review materials in the railroad cancer settlement workplace and determine if the company followed proper occupational safety practices.

Diesel Exhaust

railroad union settlement workers frequently encounter carcinogenic materials and fumes during their work, including diesel exhaust. Excessive exposure to diesel exhaust has been linked to mesothelioma, lung cancer and other serious occupational illnesses among railroad workers. Inhaling particulates from engine exhaust may cause long-term health issues that are difficult to treat.

Diesel fuel is used in locomotives and the interior Railroad Union settlement of a locomotive's cab is tiny with no ventilation. Diesel exhaust can be inhaled by railroad employees, and can be dragged back on them and their clothing after they exit the locomotive cab. Railroad workers who work in yards and shops can also be exposed to diesel exhaust, since they are often in contact with locomotives and train equipment.

Diesel exhaust is full of mutagenic and cancerous substances that can be absorbed into the bloodstream. These chemicals can alter the bone marrow and blood and cause damage the respiratory tract. In a research study that analyzed hundreds of workers repeatedly exposed to diesel exhaust, researchers found that those with the longest duration of exposure had the highest risk of developing lung cancer.

Even after controlling for smoking and other causes lung cancer mortality was significantly higher among railroad workers exposed to diesel exhaust. The Lyon Firm is investigating claims from railroad workers who have been exposed to diesel exhaust and other industrial toxic substances.