Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Caused by Railroad Exposure
The daily exposure of railroad workers to butadiene and benzene as well pesticides, diesel exhaust and diesel exhaust may increase the chance of developing Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. These chemicals are all known carcinogens belonging to the group one. CLL has also been associated with exposure to herbicides over a long period of time like creosote, weed killers or.
Benzene and Butadiene
Benzene as well as 1,3-butadiene are two volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are released into the air through a variety of natural and human-caused processes. They can be absorbed by the skin, lungs or directly inhaled. Both are known to cause cancer and leukemia. They also damage DNA and inhibit cell growth. Both butadiene and benzene are part of a family of chemicals that are considered to be Group One carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
Both benzene and butadiene can be found in diesel exhaust. Diesel exhaust is a common exposure for railroad employees who manage and maintain trains. Additionally they are exposed to benzene as well as butadiene when their train burns and releases toxic smoke.
Both benzene, and butadiene, are removed from the atmosphere by reacting with oxygen or nitrogen. This process is facilitated by the ring opening and closing of carbon-carbon bonds within the molecules. This process is accelerated by moisture, temperature and light. The degradation of benzene is further increased by the presence of heavy metals and other contaminants. These reactions can lead to the formation of less toxic molecules than the chemical that was originally created. The exposure of benzene and butadiene occurs through inhalation and is the most common way to get exposed.
Diesel Exhaust
Diesel exhaust is a source of toxic chemicals. Diesel particulate material (DPM) is the most hazardous. These tiny particles are smaller than 2.5 microns in size. They are easily absorbed into the lung where they are liquid and can cause irritation, wheezing, asthma and lung damage. Excessive exposure to diesel exhaust can also worsen preexisting lung and heart disease.
Benzene is also found in diesel exhaust. The gas is colorless with a sour odor that is an byproduct of crude oil and is a component of numerous diesel fuels. The vapors that come from benzene-containing cleansers employed in railroad shops expose workers to benzene. Benzene is present in paints, thinners, and adhesives that railroad carmen, locomotive machinists and electricians use to clean their equipment. They also dip rags into benzene-containing solvents like Safety-Kleen parts washers to remove grime and dirt from their hands and equipment.
DPM is a complex mix of fine airborne particles produced by the combustion of diesel fuel within an internal combustion engine. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, a division of the World Health Organization, has found that exposure to DPM can result in lung cancer, as well as other negative health effects. DPM is made up of carbon black, soot particles metallic abrasion particles polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and other organic compounds, as well as metallic ash, sulfates, and silicates.
Asbestos
Asbest and other toxic substances are frequently linked to cancer or other chronic illnesses among railroad workers. Mesothelioma lawsuits against railroad companies who exposed workers to carcinogens could help hold responsible companies accountable and help their former employees collect compensation.
Asbestos was used extensively by railroad workers before it was banned in 1970s, and a lot of employees, both former and present, were exposed to the toxic substance on the job. Asbestos can be found in boilers, pipes insulation around locomotives cabooses, and other railroad infrastructure, such as coal tar, creosote, and soot that covers track work.
The exposure to these chemicals has been linked to a variety of different cancers as well as other health problems, such as mesothelioma, lung disease skin cancer, heart disease kidney cancer, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Many of these diseases are difficult to detect and treat, leaving sufferers with expensive medical bills and a decrease in income and earning potential.
An attorney for mesothelioma can examine the history of a victim's exposure to chemicals to determine whether they're eligible to bring a FELA suit. A lawsuit against a railroad company could be filed in either a state or federal court, and victims can also file a private mesothelioma suit against companies that manufacture asbestos-containing products. mds caused by railroad how to get a settlement are a bit more complicated and must be handled by an attorney with expertise in this area of law.
Pesticides
Many railroad workers have exposure to pesticides, that are used on railway tracks and rail crossings in order to control the growth of vegetation and to prevent fires. These chemicals can lead to a variety of health issues, such as cancers, non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, asthma, neurologic disorders and other issues. The symptoms of a sudden exposure may include headaches, muscle twitching, dizziness nausea and weakness. In the long run, exposure to pesticides can cause skin rashes, burns and respiratory issues. Pesticides can cause long-lasting effects.
Numerous studies have revealed that those who work as conductors, brakemen car men or track workers have an increased risk of developing CLL. The risk increases as the frequency of exposure to pesticides grows. Recent research has found that those with agriculture as their longest occupation are at the highest risk. The risk of developing CLL were higher for those who had been exposed to pesticides in all three groups of application (OR1-SD increase = 1.16; 95 percent CI = 1.03 to 1.59) as compared to those who were not exposed to pesticides. This result confirms earlier connections with exposure to pesticides in farming and other jobs.