What Is Diesel Exhaust?
Diesel exhaust is a complex mixture of gases and particles created when diesel fuel burns. It contains hundreds of different chemicals, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons. Of particular concern are diesel particulate matter (DPM) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are known to be harmful when inhaled over long periods.
These microscopic particles are small enough to get deep into your lungs and even enter your bloodstream. Over time, this can lead to serious health consequences, including lung cancer, chronic pulmonary conditions, and various other cancers.
Diesel Fumes and Cancer: The Scientific Link
In 2012, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) determined that diesel engine exhaust is carcinogenic to humans based on sufficient evidence that it causes lung cancer. IARC, which is notoriously conservative, also found limited evidence linking diesel fumes to bladder cancer.
This classification came after decades of research, including studies of workers in transportation, mining, and heavy equipment industries. Railroad workers were often at the center of these studies, as they experienced more frequent and prolonged diesel exposure than many other workers.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Railroad workers are among those most at risk, especially those who:
- Worked in engine rooms, roundhouses, or on diesel locomotives.
- Spent years in train yards where diesel engines idled continuously.
- Performed maintenance or mechanical work near running engines.
Even workers who didn’t directly operate locomotives could have experienced secondhand exposure from poor ventilation and daily proximity to diesel-powered equipment.
What If You’ve Been Diagnosed?
If you’re a current or retired railroad worker who has been diagnosed with cancer—especially lung, bladder, kidney, throat, or colorectal cancer—and you spent years working around diesel exhaust, your illness may be linked to occupational exposure.
Unlike traditional workers’ compensation systems, railroad employees are protected under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA). This law allows injured workers to sue their employer if the railroad failed to provide a safe working environment, including protection from toxic substances like diesel fumes.
Take Action – Speak with a Railroad Cancer Lawyer Today
At Hughes Law Offices, we’ve spent years fighting for railroad workers who have suffered due to long-term toxic exposures. Our lead attorney, Andrew Hughes, has decades of experience handling these exact types of cases. Andrew actually started his career as a defense lawyer for railroads and asbestos manufacturers. He will bring that unique background to the fore in prosecuting your railroad cancer case.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer and believe diesel fumes may be the cause, don’t wait. Call us at 312-877-5588 or reach out online for a free consultation. We’re here to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
