Asbestos Exposure
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that occurs in rock and soil. It has been mined and used commercially in North America since the late 1800s. Due to its heat-resistant and insulating properties, asbestos was commonly used in the railroad industry.
What makes asbestos so dangerous?
Asbestos has been classified as a known human carcinogen (a substance that causes cancer) by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
The most dangerous exposures to asbestos occur through inhalation or ingestion. If products containing asbestos are disturbed, tiny asbestos fibers are released into the air and can easily be inhaled or ingested. Over time, prolonged exposure to these fibers led to severe diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, colorectal cancers, and asbestosis.
Railroad workers were not the only ones at risk; their families were also exposed to asbestos through contaminated clothing and dust carried home. Studies revealed that individuals living with railroad workers had significantly elevated levels of asbestos in their lungs, often comparable to those with direct occupational exposure.
How are railroad workers exposed to asbestos?
Railroad workers encountered asbestos in various ways throughout their daily tasks. The most common exposure routes included:
Repairing and Maintaining Locomotives
Before the shift from steam- to diesel-powered locomotives during the 1950s, mechanics and engineers faced significant occupational exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was frequently used in various steam locomotive parts, such as boiler insulation, gaskets, pipe coverings, and brake linings. During maintenance and operation, these asbestos-containing materials could easily release airborne fibers, placing workers at risk of inhalation and ingestion.
Replacing Brake Pads and Clutches
Many brake pads and clutches were made with asbestos to withstand high heat and friction. Workers frequently ground or sanded these components to ensure a proper fit, releasing asbestos dust into the surrounding environment. As a result, workers unknowingly inhaled or ingested the fibers.
Carmen faced some of the highest asbestos exposure from the composite COBRA brake pads used by railroads in the late 1970s and 1980s.
Track Maintenance
During track maintenance, asbestos-contaminated dust could be disturbed, exposing track workers as they repaired or replaced rail ties and ballasts. Additionally, workers burned asbestos rope to mend rails. Heating the rail with asbestos rope produced toxic smoke, which track workers unknowingly inhaled.
Demolition and Renovation of Railroad Facilities
Numerous train stations and railroad structures, including depots and engine houses built before the 1980s, contained asbestos in flooring, ceiling tiles, insulation, and wall panels. Bridges and buildings workers frequently handled renovations, repairs, and demolition of these buildings, which often released asbestos fibers into the air.
How long have the railroads known asbestos causes lung cancer?
Modern knowledge of asbestos’ dangers is well over a century old. This timeline highlights how the railroad industry was aware of asbestos risks long before regulations forced them to take action.
Early 1900s: Initial Awareness
- 1918: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published a report highlighting the unusually early deaths of asbestos workers.
1930s: Industry Knowledge Grows
- 1937: Association of American Railroads (AAR) identified asbestos as a toxin. AAR documents effectively placed railroads on notice that their employees exposed to asbestos could be injured as a result of those exposures.
- 1939: The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) acknowledges the risks of asbestos.
1940s – Railroads Should Be Aware
- 1944 & 1949: JAMA publishes research linking asbestos to lung cancer.
1950s-60s – Stronger Evidence and Industry Acknowledgment
- 1955: Dr. Richard Doll publishes a landmark study proving a direct correlation between asbestos exposure and lung cancer.
- 1958: Railroad industry insurers start recognizing asbestos as a work-related hazard.
- 1965: The Conference on the Biological Effects of Asbestos draws widespread attention to the dangers of asbestos exposure.
1970s – Regulations and Lawsuits
- 1970: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets exposure limits for asbestos in the workplace. This marked the beginning of unified regulation for asbestos.
- 1971: The EPA enacted the Clean Air Act, classifying asbestos as a hazardous air pollutant.
- 1975: OSHA declared asbestos a human carcinogen.
- 1976: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) concluded that there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos. The Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (TSCA) was put into place, causing most industries and products to cease their use of asbestos.
1980s – Present: Full Awareness and Legal Accountability
- 1980s: Former railroad workers file lawsuits after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
- 1985: U.S. Manufacturers stop including asbestos in locomotives.
- 1986: OSHA tightens asbestos exposure limits further.
- 1989: The EPA attempts to ban most asbestos-containing products.
- Major railroad companies, including CSX, Union Pacific, Conrail, BNSF, CN, and Norfolk Southern, continue to face asbestos-related claims.
Do you have legal options if you develop lung cancer from asbestos exposure?
Because of serious health risks, asbestos rules now require strict safety measures in workplaces with possible exposure. However, many workers exposed in the past may still face illnesses from asbestos. This is because these diseases can take a long time to develop.
The attorneys at Hughes Law Offices have experience in handling complex cases involving asbestos exposure and resulting illnesses such as lung cancer or mesothelioma. If you or someone you know has been affected, call (312) 877-5588 to receive a free consultation with a railroad cancer lawyer. Focus on your health and recovery while we build your case.
