Railroad workers are exposed to numerous dangerous ingredients, including benzene, creosote, and other chemicals.

Even though benzene was banned more than 20 years ago in the United States, some railroad products still contain the ingredient, which is also released into the air by burning diesel fuel.

Benzene has no color, but has a sweet odor. It evaporates quickly, but is very flammable. It can exist naturally in the environment as a by-product of volcanoes and forest fires, and is found in crude oil, gasoline and cigarette smoke.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is the agency within the World Health Organization (WHO) that determines what agents are considered carcinogens.

The IARC has determined benzene is “carcinogenic to humans” because of evidence the chemical causes acute myeloid leukemia, also known as AML.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also classifies benzene as a known human carcinogen.

Exposure to benzene has also been tied to cases of cancers of the lung, bladder, colon, esophagus, throat, kidneys, rectum and stomach.

Short-term and Long-term Benzene Effects

Drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, tremors and confusion can be symptoms of breathing in high doses of benzene. Too much benzene exposure can also lead to unconsciousness.

Benzene liquid or vapor contact can irritate the skin, eyes, and throat. The skin can react with redness and blistering.

Long-term exposure to benzene injures the bone marrow, where new blood cells are produced. When the bone marrow suffers harm, the following are possible:

• Anemia, which is when the red blood cell count is reduced to dangerously low levels, leading a person to feel weak and tired.
• A low white blood cell count, reducing the body’s capacity to fight infections.
• A low blood platelet count, recognized by easy bruising and bleeding.

Long-term benzene exposure possibly affects the reproductive system. Women who have been exposed to breathing in high levels of benzene for months have indicated irregular periods and shrunken ovaries.

Exposure to Other Toxins

Coal tar creosote has been used as a wood preservative on railroad ties for many years. The Centers for Disease Control call creosote a toxic substance, especially to the skin and liver.

Other evidence has possibly linked creosote exposure to cancer of the scrotum.

Railroad work and cancer might not appear to be associated at first, but the hazardous chemicals in and round work sites increase cancer risk considerably.

Railroad workers who were exposed to toxins could have a claim against the railroad company, which failed to provide a safe working environment in violation of the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

When employees have worked in hazardous environments, FELA enables employees to seek financial compensation. Railroad workers do not need to spend out-of-pocket costs to participate in these types of lawsuits.

If you or a loved one worked on the railroad for more than five years and was diagnosed with cancer between 2013 and 2016, you could qualify to file a railroad work and cancer lawsuit.