Railroad Cancer
Railroads burn millions of gallons of diesel fuel in order to operate freight trains across long distances. This highly toxic diesel exhaust is rich in carcinogens including arsenic and benzene.
You could be eligible for compensation under Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) If you're railroad worker who is diagnosed with cancer. Our Houston railroad cancer lawyers can help you get fair financial compensation to your suffering.
Benzene
Benzene, a solvent for industrial use is found in diesel fuel exhaust. Many railroad workers, including conductors, engineers and machinists and electricians are employed in places in which they come in contact with diesel fumes.
Some people may develop cancer following one exposure to benzene. It is known to cause acute meeloid leukemia (AML). This cancer starts in the bone marrow and then it spreads to blood. It is more prevalent in men than it is in women and is fatal if left untreated.
The immune system can be damaged by the chemical benzene. This is why it is a threat. This can cause illnesses and a diminished capacity to fight germs. Benzene can also weaken bones and increase the risk of arthritis.
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a serious consequence of benzene. This type of cancer starts in the bone marrow, and then spreads into the blood. It can affect the spleen , as well as other organs of the body.
A study in 2015 found that even low levels benzene can increase the risk of leukemia by three-quarters. Researchers examined medical records of the medical records of 25,000 Norwegian oil workers on rigs who worked for more than 20 days.
Benzene is still utilized in a wide variety of industrial and commercial operations, despite the dangers of exposure to it. Fortunately, there are ways to limit exposure to benzene and prevent poisoning.
Wearing protective eyewear and proper clothes is one way to protect your eyes. This will help prevent benzene out of the eyes and nose. Also, you should wear a respirator whenever you can.
If you suspect that have been exposed to benzene you must contact your doctor right away. This will allow you to recognize any symptoms you might have and will help to reduce your chances of death from benzene poisoning.
Alongside a myriad of different cancer types, benzene can also affect the brain. It can cause confusion and memory loss. If you are suffering from this condition it can result in an impairment in your quality of life and make it difficult to function at home and in the workplace.
Asbestos
Asbestos is an extremely toxic mineral that has been proven to cause many serious diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. It is present in many building materials, such as pipes and floor tiles.
As a result , asbestos exposure poses one of the greatest health risks to railroad workers. Railroad workers can be exposed to asbestos in a variety of ways. Here are a few of the most prevalent:
One exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma as well as other cancers that are life-threatening. The cancers, which grow in the lungs or the membrane that surrounds the lungs and abdominal cavity (the mesothelium), are often fatal.
The majority of people who have been exposed to asbestos fibers aren't likely to develop any of the health issues that can be caused by this substance. The majority of fibers are expelled through coughing or in the form of mucus. This protects the lung. However there are certain kinds of asbestos fibers which can adhere to the lung and remain there for a long time or even decades.
While the health effects of this condition may differ from person-to-person, it can cause chest pain, shortness of breath trouble breathing, 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 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. The reason is that their lung's development is still in its early stages.
They breathe at a greater rate, and since their lungs have a larger volume to surface ratio than adults', they will inhale more asbestos fibers.
Young children are more likely to breathe in the harmful fibers than adults, and are more at risk if they've lived in close proximity to railroad vehicles. If they have a family member with mesothelioma, they are at a higher chance of developing the disease.
Creosote
Creosote first came into use in the 19th century to shield wood from rot and insect damage. Railroad companies were capable of saving money by reducing the cost of replacing wood. Creosote is still used to treat wood products to this day. It is also used for protection of log homes and marine pilings.
It is a toxic chemical and has been linked with a variety of cancers. This includes esophageal, lung and larynx cancers.
Workers in the wood preservation, asphalt and coke-production industries are particularly at risk. Chimney sweeps, and workers who work physically like rail track maintenance and construction, could also be exposed to creosote.
Creosote exposure can cause irritation to the skin, eyelid spasms and convulsions as in addition to chemical burns, chemical burns, convulsions and unconsciousness. It can also trigger lung problems and respiratory problems, similar to smoking.
Creosote, a substance derived from coal tar can be absorbed through the skin. It also can enter the body through food items that are contaminated and water.
Union Pacific Houston Cancer are exposed to creosote when they work near hazardous waste sites. These sites often contain large amounts of creosote and could contaminate water, soil and air.
Rail workers can also be exposed to creosote when they work in the wood-treatment industry. A lot of wood products, like fences and lumber are treated with creosote.
The majority of these workers are not provided with protective gear, which can expose them to toxic creosote and other substances. This could lead to serious health conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome and cancer.
Creosote can be described as an oily liquid that ranges from black to amber in color. It has an acidic, burning taste. It is not a buoyant liquid and has a specific gravity of 1.037 to 1.87. It is a mixture polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and phenolic compounds, as well as other chemicals. The most popular form of creosote is coal tar, however other forms are also utilized.
Diesel Exhaust
Diesel exhaust is a byproduct from burning fuel and released into the atmosphere when diesel engines are being used. Diesel exhaust is also released by diesel locomotives construction equipment, farm equipment generators, and other industrial equipment.
Diesel exhaust workers are more at risk of developing cancer. This is due to the fact that they are more susceptible to exposure to radiation than those who work in other sectors.
Some research shows that long-term exposure to diesel exhaust could cause lung cancer in laboratory animals, such as rats. Diesel exhaust can cause DNA changes in cells that make them more susceptible to cancerous growth.
Studies on the effects of diesel exhaust on humans have also proven that heavy exposure can cause many health problems, including respiratory disorders like chronic bronchitis or emphysema as well as blood system disorders like cancers of the bladder, larynx (voice box), esophagus, stomach and pancreas. Other studies have identified diesel exhaust as a cause of cancers of the breast and prostate.
Diesel exhaust is regarded as carcinogens according to the American Cancer Society. It is classified as such by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of the World Health Organization).
Workers who are exposed to large machines and engines, such as truck drivers and toll booth operators, could be at a high risk of developing cancer from exposure to exhaust fumes from diesel. They may also be at high risk for cancer if they spend a large amount of time in places where heavy diesel traffic occurs like highways and cities.
Railroad workers who maintain and build tracks and yards may be exposed to diesel fumes when they work near diesel engines or other machines. The fumes can be extremely dangerous if they enter the cabins of locomotives and other machinery.
A study in laboratory rats showed that long-term exposure to diesel exhaust caused a variety of lung tumors and inflammatory changes. Certain of these tumors appeared like a form of cancer known as a lung adenocarcinoma, which occurs when the cells in the lungs develop malignancy and expand and divide quickly.