Railroad workers and cancer have become widely associated together after numerous reports have been reported from retired industry employees. The alleged correlation between railroad workers and cancer stems from the fact that railroad yards and locomotives use dangerous chemicals on a daily basis that employees are exposed to.

Often, victims were unaware they were being exposed to carcinogens and discover the link between railroad workers and cancer years later upon diagnosis. Railroad workers have a long history of having a dangerous job environment, with current injury reports of railroad workers and cancer not indicating otherwise.

Overview of Railroad Workers and Cancer Correlation

Some of the most dangerous chemicals and materials used in railroad yards are benzene and asbestos, each of which has a long history of being used in the industry. Even though benzene and asbestos are now heavily regulated, these products are still used in a number of locomotive products that are used by railroad employees.

Benzene is a dangerous hydrocarbon chemical, which has been classified as a carcinogen by several federal health regulations. Similarly, asbestos is a fibrous material that is often used for a number of manufacturing and insulation purposes, due to its fire and chemical resistant qualities.

Asbestos exposure is associated with dangerous respiratory cancers that are aggressive and often diagnosed at a later stage, due to how long it takes the disease to develop symptoms. Benzene has been banned in consumer products for over 20 years in the United States, but it is still present in railroad work environments.

Railroad workers are exposed to cancer risks when they inhale the exhaust fumes of burning diesel fuel. This exposure is prevalent in the railroad industry as the exhaust fumes are released into the surrounding environment.

Among other risks associated between railroad workers and cancer, EMF (electrical magnetic field) exposure is a significant risk that may be linked to blood cancers. The risk of of EMF exposure was noted in a research project in Switzerland, with scientists following 20,000 railroad workers for over a 30 year period. Scientists found that a significant portion of these workers were diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and myeloid leukemia after years of EMF exposure.

The study found that workers who were train drivers or conductors were exposed to the greatest EMF exposure. This is because the railroad drivers and conductors spend long hours in the train cabs surrounded by electronic components. Electrical appliances, wiring, and computers can cause EMF exposure.

Overall, there are a number of different diseases associated with the correlation between railroad workers and cancer including but not limited to:

• Bladder Cancer
• Colon Cancer
• Esophageal Cancer
• Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Kidney Cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Mesothelioma
• Multiple Myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Throat Cancer
• Leukemia

Railroad workers who have been diagnosed with cancer from 2013 to 2016 and have worked in the industry for over five years may be qualified to file a railroad cancer lawsuit.