Colon Cancer and Railroad Injuries

Railroad workers who develop colon cancer due to exposure to toxic fumes at work could be able to claim significant damages. Hughes Law Offices will help you make a claim for damages under the Federal Employer's Liability Act (FELA).

Many of these cases can only be identified later in life, after symptoms are mistakenly attributed something else more common. Symptoms include abdominal pain, rectal bleeding and weight loss.

Asbestos

Asbestos is an extremely dangerous mineral that is broken into tiny fibers. When someone inhale the fibers, they can become trapped in the lungs and cause fibrosis and malignant tumors. In certain cases the cancers may be spread to other parts of the body, including the rectum and colon.

Asbestos-related colon cancer is when tumorous growths develop in the rectum (the last few inches of the intestinal tract). Asbestos exposure increases the likelihood of developing this kind of cancer, however, researchers aren't sure of the reason. It could be because asbestos irritates the Colon cancer railroad cancer settlement and causes inflammation, which leads to the development of tumors.

A railroader's job can expose them to various chemicals that increase the risk of developing Colon cancer lawsuit settlements cancer. Train engineers for instance, might inhale diesel exhaust or asbestos when working on a locomotive for a railroad. A maintenance crew may be exposed to welding fumes or asbestos regularly.

A colon cancer lawyer from the railroad who has the experience and education could help injured railroad workers bring an action under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) against negligent railroad employers. A worker may only have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit under this law. An attorney can help you determine the time when the statute of limitations expires, and assist you in the filing process.

Diesel Exhaust

The exhaust of diesel engines from railroad locomotives contains a variety of hazardous chemicals that include carbon monoxide as well as particulate matter. Inhaling these pollutants can cause or worsen breathing disorders like asthma and reactive airways disease syndrome, chronic obstruction pulmonary disease, and other respiratory issues. In recent years, an increasing amount of medical research has proven that inhaling diesel fumes regularly increases the risk of colon cancer.

Studies have shown that the chemicals found in diesel exhaust can be carcinogenic due to a process referred to as DNA adduct creation. This process can affect various types of cells in the human body, and increase the rate that mutations occur. Diesel exhaust particles can cause inflammation of the lung and, as time passes, these changes may decrease the effectiveness of cell respiration. Inflammation may also lead to an oxidative stress, which can further promote the growth of malignant cells and increase their ability to invade healthy tissue.

Although the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified gasoline and diesel as carcinogenic to humans, based on studies of lung cancer, evidence of their impact on other areas is sporadic. A recent study examined the connection between exposure to diesel and gasoline emissions and the risk of rectal and Colon cancer settlements cancer in men. The results showed a significant increase when exposed for long periods to high levels of pollutants. However, there was no monotonic increase in the rate of incidence of rectal cancer.

Secondhand Smoke

Non-smoking railroad employees who have been exposed to secondhand smoke have an increased risk of getting colon cancer. The smoke from cigarettes and tobacco is a source of harmful chemicals which contribute to a range of disorders and diseases.

Secondhand smoke consists of the smoke produced by the burning end of a cigarette pipe or cigar, and the vaporized nicotine exhaled by the smoker. Hundreds of toxic chemicals can be found in this smoke including at least 70 chemicals known to cause cancer. It also contains carbon monoxide, irritants and oxidants that can damage blood vessels and lungs.

Smoking secondhand smoke can cause harm to children and pregnant women particularly. Children born to mothers who smoke are at higher risk for premature birth, low birthweight and sudden infant deaths syndrome (cot death). Smoking secondhand can cause asthma and other respiratory conditions.

The good news is, secondhand smoke exposure has decreased in the past few years because of the smoking ban in many public spaces and smoke-free home regulations. This is because people are more aware of the dangers posed by secondhand smoke and the toxins it contains. However, it is still vital to avoid contact with this hazard because even a small amount of exposure can cause issues.

Pesticides and herbicides

Pesticides are any chemical or substance that are designed or used to eliminate and control weeds (herbicides) or insects (insecticides) and rodents (rodenticides) or fungi (fungicides). Pesticides include hundreds of natural and synthetic chemicals. In human studies, they have been linked to a number of health issues, including miscarriages and birth defects. They also can cause developmental or learning disabilities. Many pesticides including organochlorines like DDT Dieldrin, lindane, and lawsuit dieldrin have been linked to thyroid disease. However, more research is required to fully understand the connection.

Glyphosate, an herbicide that is well-known is used across the world. It is the active ingredient in Roundup and other weed-control products. Railroad workers spray it to kill vegetation along the tracks. Exposure can happen through either absorption, ingestion, or inhalation. Herbicides can be a significant concern for railroad workers, who are required to accompany contractors when they apply herbicides.

In the Agricultural Health Study, a large study of those who worked on or near farms, herbicide application workers were found to have a higher incidence of Colon cancer settlements cancer than other types of workers. However, the connection between pesticides and colon cancer requires more research because the evidence is weak. This is due to the form of exposure to toxic chemicals is so varied and complex that it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause.