A new study suggests that a link between long-term exposures to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and two specific forms of railroad workers’ cancer.

Published in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine (OEM), scientific researchers who analyzed the health records of over 20,000 retired Swiss railway workers over a period of 30 years discovered strong correlations between EMF exposures and myeloid leukemia, a blood cancer, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

EMFs are generated by all electronic devices, including computers, radios, and electric motors.

Today, engineers who spend long shifts in locomotive cabs filled with such equipment, experience chronic EMF exposure in the same way that, a few decades ago, old dirty diesel engines filled engineers’ lungs with harmful smoke.

Led by Dr. Martin Roosli of the University of Berne, the study reports that drivers of trains had a five times higher incidence of developing a specific blood cancer known as myeloid leukemia than other railway workers, possibly due to long exposure to mechanical devices in the train engine cab.

The study also found that drivers were more than three time more likely to develop Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“Train passengers spend considerably less time in trains than the people with the occupations studied and their exposure levels and potential health risk are therefore negligible,” the researchers conclude.

Railroad Workers’ Cancer Risk

Railroad workers are at risk of developing occupational cancers in a number of ways, due to the many known carcinogens present in the workplace environment.

Benzene exposure, asbestos, chemical solvent exposure and exposure to welding fumes are common examples of conditions which can lead to the development of railroad workers’ cancer.

Unfortunately, these diseases often go undiagnosed in their early stages, making them more difficult to treat and likely to cause serious injury and even death.

The following types of cancer are commonly associated with railroad workers’ occupational exposure to known carcinogens:

• Lung cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Colon cancer
• Bone cancer
• Leukemia
• Multiple myeloma
• Mesothelioma
• Asbestosis

Filing a Railroad Workers’ Cancer Lawsuit

Claims by railroad workers against a railroad employer for injury, disease or death fall under a law called the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

In 1908, congress passed the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) to give railroad workers who are injured on the job a means of legal recourse and protective rights.

Under FELA, injured railroad employees can file complaints directly against the company if they can prove negligence in causing the injury.

Railroad companies can be found negligent in cases where they:

• Fail to provide a safe work environment
• Fail to provide proper tools or equipment
• Fail to perform frequent inspections and maintenance
• Fail to adequately train their employees

Railroad workers who developed cancer have the right to seek compensation since their disease was caused by exposure to asbestos, benzene, radioactive substances or other hazardous materials.

If you developed railroad workers’ cancer after working as a railroad employee, you should a specialized attorney immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a railroad workers’ cancer suit and an experienced lawyer can help.