Railroad workers allege there is a serious link between benzene and cancer. Benzene is a common chemical used in various areas of the railroad industries. As a known carcinogen, the link between benzene and cancer has allegedly resulted in numerous cases of railroad employees developing cancer.

While benzene is banned for use in products intended for the home, it is still used in certain industries. Some railroad products still contain the dangerous chemical.

Also, when diesel fuel exhaust fumes are produced benzene is present. Once these diesel exhaust fumes are released into the environment, the risk of benzene and cancer becomes significantly higher for railroad employees in the surrounding areas.

There are other carcinogens present in the railroad industry besides benzene. Creosote may increase the risk of certain cancers including skin and scrotum cancer. Other chemical solvents may even induce brain diseases, resulting in the large variety of diseases railroad employees may develop because of on-the-job exposure to chemicals.

Due to the alleged link between benzene and cancer, there is a number of potentially serious diseases railroad employees could develop. These include but are not limited to:

• Bladder cancer
• Colon cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Kidney cancer

Overview of Benzene and Cancer Correlation

Benzene is typically created when locomotives burn diesel fuel. Exhaust fumes are released into the air.

Benzene is a colorless, flammable and sweet smelling liquid, which is often used to make other chemicals including: plastics, lubricants, rubber dyes, detergents, drugs and pesticides. Benzene is quickly evaporated once exposed to the air, and has been primarily used an industrial solvent and gasoline additive.

With these uses, benzene is one of the 20 most widely used chemicals in the United States. Both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Health and Human Services have classified benzene as a known carcinogen.

Benzene has been shown to have harmful effects on bone marrow and could even decrease the production of blood cells. This can increases the chances of benzene and cancer, and even anemia because the blood cannot sufficiently transport oxygen.

There is more than one dangerous chemical railroad workers should be wary of. Creosote and asbestos both are also considered dangerous. However, the alleged connection between benzene and cancer has been the most prevalent concern.

Often employees are exposed to benzene for years without realizing it or without warned about the alleged connection between benzene and cancer. By the time employees are informed of the risk, the cancer could potentially be too advanced for successful treatment.

Under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), railroad companies are required to provide their employees with a safe working environment and protect them against dangerous chemical exposure. FELA was enacted at the beginning of the 20th century to help protect railroad employees who were injured or became sick on the job.

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