A Productive Rant About Cancer Lawsuits
Railroad Cancer
Railroads burn millions of gallons of diesel fuel to operate freight trains across long distances. This extremely toxic diesel exhaust is a source of carcinogens such as arsenic, dioxin and benzene.
You could be entitled to compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) in the event that you are an employee of a railroad who has been diagnosed with cancer. Our experienced Houston railroad cancer lawyers can assist you to obtain an equitable financial settlement for the pain you've endured.
Benzene
Benzene is a solvent used in industrial processes and is present in the exhaust of diesel fuel. Many railroad workers, including conductors, engineers and machinists and electricians, work in areas that come into contact with diesel fumes.
Certain people can develop cancer as a result of just one exposure to benzene. It is believed to cause acute meeloid leukemia (AML). This cancer begins in the bone marrow, and it spreads to the blood. It is more common for men than women and is fatal if not treated.
The dangers of benzene stem due to the fact that it can affect the immune system. This can cause various health issues including infections and a diminished ability to fight germs. Benzene can cause bone weakness and increase the risk of arthritis.
Another serious issue that can be attributed to exposure to benzene is chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The type of cancer develops in the bone marrow and then spreads to blood. It can also affect the spleen and other parts of your body.
A 2015 study showed that even low levels benzene can increase the risk of developing leukemia by one-third. Researchers looked at the medical records of more than 25,000 Norwegian oil-rig workers who been on the job for more than 20 days.
Despite the risk of being exposed to benzene is still being used in a variety of commercial and industrial processes. Fortunately, there are ways to limit exposure and prevent benzene poisoning.
Wearing protective eyewear and clothing is a way to protect your eyes. This will help prevent benzene out of the nose and eyes. A respirator should be used as often as possible.
If you suspect you have been exposed to benzene in any way, you must contact your doctor right away. This will help you recognize any signs and minimize the risk of dying due to poisoning caused by benzene.
Benzene is also known to cause brain damage, along with other forms of cancer. It can cause confusion and loss of memory. This can cause a decline in the quality of life and make it difficult to perform at work or at home.
Asbestos
Asbestos is an extremely toxic mineral that has been found to cause a variety of serious diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. It is found in a variety materials used in construction like pipe insulation and floor tiles.
As a result , exposure to asbestos poses one of the most serious health risks for railroad workers. Railroad workers can be exposed to the toxic substance through many different ways. Some of the most frequent are:
One exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma as well as other cancers that are life-threatening. The cancers, which develop in the lungs or the membrane which covers the lungs, and abdominal cavity (the mesothelium) are usually fatal.
The majority of people who have been exposed to asbestos fibers will not suffer from any of the health issues that are associated with this substance. Most fibers will be expelled through coughing or in the form of mucus. This helps protect the lungs. There are some asbestos fibers which can be stuck to your lungs for years or even decades.
The consequences of this condition vary from individual to individual, but it may cause shortness of breath chest pain, trouble breathing, or a tightness in the chest. Other symptoms include difficulty swallowing and weight loss.
Children exposed to asbestos are more at chance of developing mesothelioma and other types of cancer. They are more likely to breathe harmful fibers via the nose and mouth. Their lungs are still developing.
They breathe at a greater rate, and since their lungs have a higher surface area to volume ratio than adults', they are able to inhale more asbestos fibers.
Due to their vulnerability to inhaling dangerous fibers, young children are at a high risk of developing mesothelioma particularly if they have been in close proximity to railroad cars. They also have an increased risk of developing this disease in the event of an ancestor with mesothelioma.
Creosote
Creosote was developed in the 19th century in order to protect wood from damage caused by insects and rot. Railroad companies were capable of saving money by reducing the cost of replacing wood. Creosote can still be used for treating wood products today. It can also be used for protection of log homes and marine pilings.
It is a toxic chemical and has been linked with various cancers. Some of them include esophageal and lung cancers, and larynx cancers.
Workers in the wood preservation, asphalt and coke-production industries are particularly vulnerable. Chimney sweeps as well as workers who are physically laborers, such as rail track maintenance and construction, could also be exposed to creosote.
Creosote exposure can lead to irritation of the skin and eyes, chemical burns, eyelid spasms, convulsions and mental confusion, unconsciousness, kidney problems and even death. It can also cause respiratory problems and lung problems, much like smoking.
Creosote, a substance derived from coal tar, may be absorbed through the skin. It is also taken in through food items that are contaminated or water.
One of the main sources of exposure to creosote among railroad workers is working near a hazardous waste site. These sites typically contain huge quantities of creosote. This can infect water, soil as well as air.
Rail workers could also be exposed to creosote when they work in the wood treatment sector. A lot of wood products, such as fences and timber, are treated with creosote.
People who work in these fields are typically not equipped with safety equipment, which exposes workers to creosote as well as other poisons. This can result in serious health problems, including cancer and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Creosote is a liquid that is oily that ranges from black to amber in color. It has an acidic, burning taste. It isn't a contaminant in liquids and has a specific gravity of 1.037 to 1.87. It is a mix of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phenolic compounds, as well as other chemicals. Railroad Cancer Settlements of creosote is coal tar, however other forms are also used.
Diesel Exhaust
Diesel exhaust is a byproduct from combustion of fuel and is released into the atmosphere when diesel engines are in use. It is also released from diesel locomotives, construction and farm equipment generators, ships and other industrial equipment.
Workers who work near diesel exhaust could be at a higher chance of developing cancer. This is due to the fact that they are often exposed to more of this substance than those who work in other sectors.
Exposure to diesel exhaust for a long time can cause lung carcinoma in laboratory animals like rats. Diesel exhaust can trigger DNA modifications in cells, making them more prone to cancerous growth.
Studies of diesel exhaust in humans have also shown that heavy exposure can cause a variety of health problems such as respiratory diseases like chronic bronchitis or emphysema as well as blood system diseases such as cancers of the bladder and larynx (voice box), esophagus, stomach and the pancreas. Other studies have connected diesel exhaust to certain cancers of the prostate and breast.
The American Cancer Society considers diesel exhaust to be carcinogen. It is classified as such by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and is part of the World Health Organization.
Excessive exposure to diesel exhaust could pose a significant risk to those who work with large engines and machines, like truck drivers or toll booth operators. They are also at risk for cancer if they spend a large amount of time in places that are prone to heavy diesel traffic like highways and cities.
Railroad workers who construct and maintain tracks and yards may be exposed to diesel fumes when they work near diesel engines or other machinery. These fumes can be hazardous when they enter the cabins of machinery such as locomotives and other machines.
Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust has led to lung inflammation and cancer in laboratory rats. Some of these tumors were comparable to lung Adenocarcinoma. This is a kind of cancer that develops when the lungs' cells expand rapidly and then become malignant.