Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Caused by Railroad Exposure
Railroad workers are at an elevated risk for developing Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) because of their constant exposure to benzene, butadiene, pesticides and diesel exhaust. These chemicals are all considered group one carcinogens. CLL has also been associated with exposure for a long time to herbicides such as creosote and weed killers.
Benzene and Butadiene
Benzene and 1,3butadiene are both volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are emitted into the air through a variety of natural and human-caused processes. They can be absorbed via the lungs, skin, or directly inhaled. Both are known to be carcinogenic and have been shown to cause leukemias. They also harm DNA and hinder cell growth. Benzene and butadiene are both part of a class of chemicals deemed to be Group One carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
Both benzene and butadiene can be found in diesel exhaust. Railroad workers are exposed diesel exhaust on a daily basis as they work to maintain and operate trains. They also are exposed when their train gets caught on fire and releases toxic fumes like benzene, butadiene and other chemicals.
Both benzene and butadiene, are both degraded by nitrogen or oxygen in the atmosphere. This degradation is facilitated through the ring opening and closing of carbon-carbon bonds within the molecules. Temperature or moisture as well as light accelerate this process. The degrading of benzene can be further accelerated when heavy metals or other contaminants are present. These reactions can lead to the formation of new molecules that are less harmful than the original chemical. Inhalation is the primary method of exposure to benzene as well as Butadiene.
Diesel Exhaust
Diesel exhaust is filled with dozens of toxic chemicals. One of the most harmful is the diesel particulate matter (DPM). These tiny particles are smaller than 2.5 microns and easily absorbed into lungs where they are highly insoluble and can trigger asthma, wheezing, inflammation and lung damage. The exposure to diesel exhaust may also aggravate existing lung and heart disease.
Benzene is also found in diesel exhaust. Benzene is a colorless, non-toxic gas that has a sweet scent is a by-product from crude oil. It is also a component of numerous diesel fuels. The vapors that come from benzene-containing cleansers employed in railroad shops expose railroad workers to benzene. Paints as well as adhesives, thinners and paints are all benzene-containing products that are employed by railroad carmen, electricians, and locomotive mechanics to clean their equipment. They also soak rags with benzene-containing solvents like Safety-Kleen part washers to wash dirt from their hands and equipment.
DPM is a mixture of fine particles and gases that are produced when diesel fuel is burned in an internal combustion engine. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, a division of the World Health Organization, has confirmed that exposure to DPM can lead to lung cancer, as well as other negative health impacts. DPM is comprised of soot, carbon black and metallic abrasion particle polycyclic hydrocarbons and other organic compounds and metallic ash.
mds caused by railroad how to get a settlement suffer from cancer or other chronic illnesses that are linked to their occupational exposure to toxic substances like asbestos. Mesothelioma lawsuits against railroad companies who exposed workers to carcinogens can assist in holding responsible companies accountable and assist former employees get compensation.
Asbestos was extensively used by the railroad industry until it was banned in the 1970s. Many former and current railroad workers were exposed substances while working. Asbestos can be found in boilers, pipes, insulation around locomotives, cabooses, and other railroad infrastructure, such as creosote and coal tar and soot-covered trackwork.
The exposure to these substances is associated with many different types of diseases and cancers, such as lung disease, mesothelioma and heart disease. Other ailments include skin cancer, kidney and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. A number of these diseases are difficult to detect and treat, leaving sufferers with high medical costs as well as a decline in income and earning potential.
A seasoned mesothelioma lawyer will look over a person's history of chemical exposure and determine whether they are eligible to make an FELA lawsuit. A lawsuit may be filed against railroads in either a state or federal court. Victims can also file a mesothelioma lawsuit against asbestos-containing products manufacturers. FELA lawsuits can be a bit complicated and require an attorney who has experience in this area.
Pesticides
Pesticides are used to control vegetation on railway tracks and rail crossings, and to stop fires. These chemicals can cause a range of health issues such as cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, asthma and asthma, as along with neurologic diseases. The symptoms of an acute exposure could include headaches, dizziness, muscle twitching, weakness and nausea. The long-term exposure may result in skin burns, rashes and respiratory problems. Pesticides can have long-lasting effects.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that people who work in the railroad industry as conductors, brakemen or car men, as well as track workers, are at an increased risk of developing CLL. The risk increases as the level of exposure to pesticides increase. Recent research revealed that those who have agriculture as their primary job are at the highest risk. The risk of developing CLL are higher for those who have been exposed to pesticides (OR1-SD = 1.16; 95 percent CI: 1.03 to 1.59), than people who haven't been exposed to pesticides. This result supports earlier associations with farming and other occupational exposures.