Exposure to dangerous chemicals and toxins has reportedly led to myriad diagnoses of cancer in railroad workers.

One of the biggest offenders is benzene, a colorless gas with a sweet odor. Although benzene was banned more than 20 years ago in the U.S., crude oil naturally contains benzene, and it’s a component of diesel fuel and gasoline. Benzene can be detected in diesel exhaust in both the gas form and in diesel soot, potentially exposing railroad workers to cancer because of this dangerous carcinogenic substance.

Liquid benzene evaporates quickly but can be absorbed through the skin. Inhaled exhaust fumes tainted with benzene have been linked with lung cancer, but benzene exposure has been linked with many other types of cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Cancer in railroad workers is, unfortunately, still reported by many employees.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is the agency within the World Health Organization (WHO) that categorizes chemicals as carcinogens. The IARC has determined benzene is “carcinogenic to humans” because of evidence the chemical causes acute myeloid leukemia, more commonly known as AML.

All of the following types of cancer in railroad workers could be tied to their exposure to benzene while on the job:

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

In addition to potentially causing cancer, benzene can also result in serious side effects such as convulsions, changes to your heartbeat, development of anemia, damage to the immune system and bone marrow, and can even result in death.

Cancer in Railroad Workers Caused by Toxins

Railroad workers who work on locomotives or with railroad ties often are exposed to other chemical solvents that vary in toxicity.

A wood preservative, coal tar creosote, helps protect railroad ties from sun, heat, cold, rain and snow. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined creosote is particularly toxic to our skin and liver.

According to the Railway Tie Association, more than 24 million crossties are produced annually. Ninety-three percent are created from wood. Only 6.5% consists of concrete, and plastic/composite materials are used to create less than .05% of all crossties.

Wood remains the most popular choice because of its ability to expand and contract in various temperatures. Wood also has the added perk of absorbing the shock caused by fast-moving, heavy trains.

Without the added coatings of toxic chemicals, though, wood rots and attracts termites. Creosote is most often used to treat wood, but sometimes a dual process using borates is needed to ensure some types of wood remain impervious to the elements.

Even though these toxic chemicals work well on railroad ties, they can cause an increased risk of cancer in railroad workers.

Creosote may be inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. In some instances, the substance may be found in contaminated dirt or water and accidentally ingested. Once the substance has been absorbed into your body, it may build up and be stored in body fat. Exposure to the substance has been known to result in cancer, in addition to other side effects including liver or kidney damage, lung damage, severe skin rash, chemical burns, or convulsions.

The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) was created to ensure companies provide their employees with a safe working environment. Any employee who has worked in hazardous conditions where an employer failed to instill precautionary measures could be eligible to seek financial compensation under FELA laws.

Present or former railroad workers diagnosed with cancer might believe their family has a predisposition to such cancer, especially if generations of the family have worked on the railroad. Cancer in railroad workers oftentimes can be linked to the toxic substances the employees worked in and around without proper protective gear.

Some studies conducted regarding cancer in railroad workers have indicated that people working in this profession may be much more likely to develop a variety of types of cancers than people who work in other occupations. Many lawsuits have been filed against railroad companies by employees who claim they were exposed to hazardous chemicals on the job. Some of the plaintiffs in these cases have pursued compensation not only for their injuries and medical expenses, but also for the loss of pension benefits due to reduced life expectancies.

In cases where victims have died due to their cancers, families may also be able to pursue compensation for wrongful death, especially if they can prove that their loved one’s employer did not inform them of their potential health risks or provide them with protective equipment.

If you or someone you love has worked on a railroad and subsequently been diagnosed with cancer, a consultation with a FELA lawyer could lead to compensation.