Railroad industry employees are at constant risk for deadly chemical and substance exposure, increasing the chances of numerous health problems. Creosote cancer risk is especially prevalent in railroad workers who interact with coal, with these workers facing increased chances of skin or scrotum cancer.

Both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer have determined that creosote cancer risk increases during exposure and that coal tar is likely inducing cancer in humans.

The creosote cancer risk is prevalent in certain occupations including chimney sweepers and other employees likely to work with materials that produce creosote, including railroad industry employees.

According to an October 2002 report by the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry, researchers stated that “workers who work with creosote-treated wood in building fences, bridges or railroad tracks or installing telephone poles may face exposure. Those who inspect or maintain these materials … also risk exposure to creosote.”

Overview of Creosote Cancer Risk in Railroad Industry

Railroad employees work with dangerous chemicals like asbestos and benzene on a daily basis, and creosote cancer risk is a unique exposure problem found in this industry.

Creosote is a thick liquid residue that is naturally produced when treating coal, along with certain types of wood or other plant matter in extreme heat. Larger amounts of creosote can often be found in pesticides, fungicides, flea treatment dips, and animal repellents.

Even though creosote has been used for centuries, it has been unregulated in the past and was commonly utilized by the railroad industry. This means that thousands of miles of railway contain this dangerous chemical, creating a creosote cancer risk.

Since coal is still commonly used in the railroad industry as a wood preservative and is often used for to treat wood used in railroad construction, numerous railroad workers face an increased creosote cancer risk.

Employees could inhale dangerous creosote vapor emissions, while large coal tar amounts could cause burns and irritations to the eye. In the most extreme cases, employees could experience convulsions, loss of consciousness, and even die.

It is important to note that even in small amounts, creosote cancer risk is still prevalent if the employee experiences exposure on a regular basis. The creosote cancer risk is particularly prevalent in skin cancer and scrotum cancer, with other cancers 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
• Laryngeal cancer
• Rectal cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Throat cancer
• Leukemia

The railroad industry is currently facing legal action from former and current employees, alleging they were not warned about creosote cancer risk. The employees also allege they were not warned about other potentially dangerous substances in their employment environment including asbestos, benzene and radioactive materials, and that they were not given protective equipment.

These employees are raising claims including negligence and failure to warn, and they seek compensation for all medical costs.