Recent studies have found a link between cancer and railroad work. On-the-job exposure may lead to the development of many forms of cancer such as bladder, lung, bone, kidney, mesothelioma, multiple myeloma, and leukemia.

Railroad workers are exposed to a dangerous chemical known as benzene, a chemical that has been banned in the United States for over 20 years. Other known carcinogens linking cancer and railroad work include asbestos and welding fumes.

Unfortunately, railroad workers who have developed cancer may not even realize their development is linked to on-the-job exposure. These cancer conditions are often not diagnosed until later in their development, making it much more challenging to treat them. They can also allow for the development of additional injuries and death.

Cancer and Railroad Work Risks

According to PubChem, part of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, benzene is a “clear, colorless, highly flammable and volatile, liquid aromatic hydrocarbon with a gasoline-like odor.”

Benzene is found as a by-product of oil refining processes and found in crude oils. As a highly toxic chemical, it can also be absorbed through the skin and inhaled. Previously believed to cause lung cancer, benzene has since been correlated with developing the following types of cancer:

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

Other Cancer and Railroad Work Risks

Due to the many deaths of railroad workers, the railroad industry was the 4th listed industry between 1990 to 1999 to list individuals over the age of 15 who died from asbestos exposure.

According to PubMed, a study titled Asbestos-Related Disease in Railroad Workers. A Cross-Sectional Study, discovered that individuals have an increased risk of developing malignant mesothelioma cancer due to asbestos exposure. This is also not surprising as the railroad industry has long used asbestos products for insulation and heat shielding.

In fact, a survey of railroad workers discovered that while 3 percent of workers under the age of 50 were likely exposed to asbestos, 21 percent of workers 50 years or older were likely exposed to asbestos. Additionally, the median range for asbestos exposure in railroad workers was about 3 years (range: 6 months- 15 years).

Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA)

Congress passed the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) in 1908 to help protect railroad workers who became injured in the line of work and those who were exposed to carcinogens and other dangerous chemicals. FELA established and continues to provide a federal system of legal recovery for railroad workers who suffered serious injuries while on the job.

A railroad company may be in violation of the FELA if it fails to provide a safe working environment for its railroad workers. Through FELA, railroad workers are provided legal recourse and protective rights.

Railroad companies may be deemed negligent if they are found to have: 1) failed to provide a safe working environment; 2) failed to provide safe equipment and tools; 3) failed to sufficiently train railroad workers and other employees; and 4) failed to perform mandatory maintenance and inspection protocol procedures.