Railroad workers may be at risk for benzene cancer, and those who develop it may be entitled to compensation.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, benzene is a dangerous chemical that was used as a basis for other industrial materials such as plastics, lubricants, rubbers, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides. Another common use for this is as an industrial solvent and gasoline additive.

Benzene is highly flammable and evaporates quickly into the air. Some of the most dangerous forms of benzene are created by the burning of diesel fuel, which is then released into the environment and inhaled.

Benzene has been used commercially since the 1800s. Although many benzene uses were banned in the United States over 20 years ago, many railroad materials still contain benzene.

Due to the high content of benzene in diesel fuel and engine exhaust, many railroad workers are exposed to benzene by inhaling diesel fumes each day while they work. Other occupations at risk for benzene exposure include firefighters, plant workers, oil refinery workers, printing press employees, gas station workers, and other manufacturer jobs.

Benzene is highly toxic and can be inhaled and absorbed through the skin. According to the World Health Organization, short-term exposure to benzene can cause drowsiness, dizziness, unconsciousness, and tremors. Long-term, repeated exposure to benzene may affect bone marrow and blood production and lead to anemia, chromosomal damage, benzene cancer.

In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and National Institutes of Health (NIH) all classify benzene as either “known to be a human carcinogen” or a “known human carcinogen.”

Early on, benzene cancer risks were thought only to include lung cancer. Benzene has since been linked to bladder cancer, colon cancer, esophageal cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, kidney cancer, mesothelioma, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, laryngeal cancer, rectal cancer, stomach cancer, throat cancer, leukemia, and more.

Benzene is not the only risk associated with railroad work. Creosote and other chemical solvents have only shown to be harmful to the body and can cause long-term health problems. Creosote may cause skin cancer and scrotum cancer. Chemical solvents may cause chronic toxic encephalopathy and other brain diseases.

Benzene cancer often does not develop until many years after initial exposure. Many railroad workers diagnosed with cancer may not attribute their cancer to benzene exposure and instead assume family history or other exposure caused cancer. However, many times the cause of cancer is because of hazardous chemical they were exposed to while on the job.

Railroad companies who were responsible for providing a safe work environment may be in violation of the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). FELA allows employees who worked in unsafe environments to seek financial compensation for benzene cancer and other occupational hazards. Such lawsuits do not require out-of-pocket costs on the part of the railroad worker.

If you or someone you love suffered from benzene exposure as a railroad worker, you may be able to file a railroad worker lawsuit. While filing a benzene cancer risk lawsuit cannot reverse the damage of dangerous cancer or bring a loved one back to life, it can help to offset the financial damages often incurred by medical expenses.