Diesel Exhaust
Diesel exhaust is a hazardous mix of gases and fine particles released by diesel engines. It contains known carcinogens such as benzene, formaldehyde, and soot (particulate matter). Chronic exposure, especially in poorly ventilated work environments like railroad shops and tunnels, significantly increases the risk of lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, and cardiovascular disease.
Asbestos
Asbestos was widely used in the railroad industry for insulation, brake pads, and engine components. Railroad machinists, electricians, pipefitters, car men, and other hands-on workers routinely handled asbestos-containing materials during maintenance and repairs.
When these materials are disturbed, they release microscopic fibers that can remain airborne for hours and are easily inhaled. This type of repeated exposure is strongly linked to mesothelioma, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, throat cancer, asbestosis, and other serious lung diseases.
Despite widespread knowledge of its dangers, asbestos remained in use across the rail industry into the 1980s and still poses a threat in older locomotives and facilities.
Solvents
Railroad workers often use industrial solvents to clean parts, degrease engines, and maintain equipment. Many of these solvents contain hazardous chemicals like benzene, toluene, and trichloroethylene—substances known to cause serious health problems. Prolonged exposure through inhalation or skin contact can lead to neurological damage, liver and kidney disease, and certain types of cancer, including leukemia.
Silica Sand
Used in track maintenance and locomotive traction systems, silica sand can become airborne and is easily inhaled during grinding or cutting operations. Chronic inhalation causes silicosis and has been linked to lung cancer, especially when combined with other occupational exposures.
Creosote
Creosote, a preservative used on railroad ties and wooden bridges, contains carcinogenic compounds known as PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). Workers who handle treated materials or work near creosote-soaked areas may face increased risks of skin and respiratory cancers.
Secondhand Smoke
Though often overlooked, secondhand smoke in enclosed cabs and facilities contributes to elevated cancer risks for non-smokers, especially when combined with other occupational toxins.
Pesticides and Herbicides
Railroads routinely use pesticides and herbicides to manage vegetation along tracks. Chronic exposure to these chemicals has been linked to serious illnesses, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and other cancers.
Welding Fumes
Welding tasks, common in locomotive and car maintenance, release toxic fumes containing manganese, nickel, and hexavalent chromium. Long-term welding fume exposure has been tied to neurological disorders and respiratory diseases, including lung cancer.
In many of our cases, the worker was exposed to a veritable toxic soup of carcinogens. It is vital that your lawyer work with top experts in industrial hygiene, epidemiology, and occupational medicine to determine the most relevant exposures to the disease at issue. If you suspect that your illness or that of a loved one could be related to railroad exposures, call Hughes Law Offices today at 312-877-5588.
