Numerous individuals have reportedly been developing cancer after railroad career, due to regular exposure to dangerous chemicals over many years.

Because exposure to carcinogens is a common problem with railroad industry occupational duties, many people have alleged their cancer after railroad career was caused as a result. Deadly chemicals including benzene, asbestos and creosote are used and produced in the railroad industry, whether as part of the train’s manufactured components or produced as a byproduct.

Creosote has been linked to skin cancer and scrotum cancer, along with serious brain diseases. Asbestos was a material regularly used for insulation purposes before the 1980s and is linked to deadly respiratory diseases. Benzene is a byproduct of diesel exhaust that can actually be absorbed through the skin.

Many different types of cancer after railroad career have been reported, including:

• Asbestos Lung Cancer
• Asbestosis
• Bladder Cancer
• Bone 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 Railroad Cancer Risks

Along with the dangerous compounds listed above, railroad workers would commonly encounter radioactive materials due to the nature of some of the items being transported. Railroad companies are currently facing legal liability allegations from people who allegedly developed cancer after railroad career.

These people allege the railroad companies either knew or should have known about the risk of cancer after railroad career, but failed to warn them or offer reasonable protections.

For example even though benzene has been banned from consumer products for over 20 years in the United States, many locomotive components still contain the chemical after it has been used for degreasing. When diesel fuel is burned, benzene is then released into the environment where it can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

Asbestos was used in locomotive manufacturing from the 1930s to the 1970s for insulation purposes. Even though the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) warned against potential carcinogenic risks, railroad companies allegedly kept using asbestos for its fire and chemical resistant properties.

Workers who allegedly developed cancer after railroad career include those who previously worked directly with the locomotive cars including:

• Engineers
• Conductors
• Switchman
• Carman
• Track Maintenance
• Machinists
• Clerk Type Workers

These railroad workers may be able to file legal action against the railroad companies, due to their employers allegedly failing to provide a safe work environment.

In a recent example filed on Oct. 17, 2016, Union Pacific Railroad was sued by the loved ones of a deceased man who allegedly died from kidney cancer. Decedent Stanley A. had reportedly worked for the company for 35 years, and had allegedly developed cancer after railroad career.

Circumstances like these may give rise to claims under the Federal Employers Liability Act, which allows workers to hold employers responsible if they suffer and injury or disease because of employer negligence.