Railroad Injuries

acute myeloid leukemia railroad cancer (Full Post) myeloid leukemia is diagnosed by railroad workers exposed to gasoline and benzene exhaust. This is especially the case for railroad yardmen as well as hostlers who are involved in the refueling of locomotives.

AML can cause several physical problems like enlarged organs (spleen and liver) due to the accumulation of white blood cells. It can also result in the body's ability to fight infections and can cause severe pain.

Exposure to Benzene

Long-term exposure to the chemical benzene, which is found in the exhaust of a cigarette, gasoline smoke, and car exhaust, can result in cancerous blood cells. The International Agency for Research on Cancer categorizes benzene as an human carcinogen. It is well-known that it negatively affects the bone marrow. It is the location where new blood cells are produced.

In the short-term, benzene may cause headaches, dizziness and confusion. In the long-term it can cause irreparable damage to the bone marrow and cause anemia (a low number of red blood cells), which causes tiredness as well as fatigue, weakness and pale skin. Then, it may cause leukemia in which mature white blood cells swarm the bone marrow and overtake healthy ones.

The chemical is used to make plastics, lubricants, rubber paints, dyes detergents and pesticides, and it can be absorbed or inhaled through the skin. Many workers in oil refineries, rubber factories, chemical plants, coke makers and gasoline-related industries are exposed to benzene.

In addition, benzene is added to gasoline to boost the octane content and is found in automobile exhaust. Exposure to benzene during pregnancy is linked to an infant's weight loss and a greater risk of developing spina bifida. Women absorb benzene much faster than men. The metabolite is quickly transported throughout the body and is likely to build up in fat tissue.

Exposure to Asbestos

Asbestos was used in railway locomotives, equipment and other products. Railroad workers who were exposed to asbestos could suffer from a variety of debilitating and fatal diseases like lung cancer, mesothelioma or asbestosis.

Inhaling asbestos fibers may cause irritation to organ linings such as the lungs or the heart. In time, the irritation may cause scar tissue to grow. This scar tissue makes breathing difficult for the lung. It can also increase the chance of mesothelioma, which is a type of cancer that affects the lining of the membranes of certain organs.

Asbestos exposure can cause asbestosis, a non-cancerous condition. Asbestosis is a breathing disorder, develops after prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers in the air. Asbestosis develops when the asbestos fibers that are in the air become trapped within the lungs. The fibers cause the lungs scarring because of irritation. This makes it difficult for them to function properly.

Many railroad workers have been exposed to benzene and other toxic chemicals in their workplaces. If a railroad employee develops an illness due to these chemicals, they may be entitled to compensation. Injured railroad workers may file a claim under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). A knowledgeable lawyer experienced in rail accidents may be able assist injured railroad employees in their claims.

Exposure to Pesticides and Herbicides

Rail workers may have been exposed to a range of chemicals, such as herbicides that are used to kill undesirable plants and weeds. Chemicals like glyphosate (an ingredient found in many popular weed-killers) have been associated with serious health problems including acute myeloid carcinoma. Our railroad cancer attorneys may assist you in filing an insurance claim if you or Acute myeloid leukemia railroad cancer someone you love has been diagnosed with AML as a result of work on the railroad.

A meta-analysis of 16 studies on case-control (Table S2) discovered exposure to occupational pesticides and herbicides significantly increased the risk of AML, with pooled ORs of 1.85 (95 percent CI 1.51 to 2.23). The quality of all studies included was moderate to high. Two studies used self-administered questionnaires 12 used peer-topeer interviews and six evaluated the likelihood of OPE through expert reviews or Acute Myeloid Leukemia Railroad Cancer job exposure matrixes. However, these methods can result in recall bias and are prone to misclassification of exposure.

The results of this study are in line with previous research that has shown a significant increase in AML risk associated with exposure to benzene, methyl bromide chlorophenols and organochlorines. Other chemicals, for instance creosote exposure have also been linked to AML. The effects of maternal pesticides on the incidence of leukemia in infants by 1.6. This effect is especially strong for lymphoid disease.

Exposure to Diesel Exhaust

Benzene is a chemical that is found in diesel exhaust and diesel fuel. Exposure to benzene is an important factor in development of leukemia, multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) among railroad workers. Benzene is absorbed through the pores of the skin or inhaled. Benzene is present in diesel fuel, solvents like Liquid Wrench, CRC Brakleen and degreasers. A number of studies have found elevated cancer rates among rail workers due to exposures to these chemicals.

Most often, railroad employees are exposed to diesel exhaust in poorly ventilated areas of work close to locomotives. Diesel fumes contain benzene, which is at a level 50-100x more than gasoline. It is also present in lubricants and pesticides.

The benzene vapors released by the combustion of diesel fuel can get into the respiratory tract and into the bloodstream, and then be infiltrated into the bone marrow and lymph system. This can cause an increase in abnormal white blood cells and damage to the bone marrow.

The majority of cancers can be successfully treated by chemotherapy and immunotherapy. However they can be costly and put an financial burden on railroad workers. When a serious health condition is a result of occupational exposures, railroad workers should consult an experienced attorney to discuss their options for seeking compensation.