Railroads and Asbestos
The railroad industry encompasses a wide range of workers including engineers, brake operators, conductors, locomotive/car manufacturers, and even the individuals loading and unloading cars in railroad yards. Railroads have been extremely important to the development of the United States as a means for interstate commerce and industrial growth. Unfortunately, many of the people helping to drive this growth were unknowingly exposed to asbestos and, consequently, have been subject to serious health problems like mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Railroad Jobs at High Risk for Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma
The railroad industry has been regarded as one of the more hazardous working environments due to the high volume of confirmed asbestos exposures and resulting mesothelioma lawsuits. Asbestos-containing products can release fibers and dust into the air when disturbed, which when inhaled can lead to a number of health problems including asbestosis and cancers such as mesothelioma, lung, esophageal, gastrointestinal, laryngeal, and pharyngeal. Unfortunately, many of these asbestos exposures could have been prevented if railroad workers had simply been given the proper training and safety equipment.
The following railroad jobs may have been affected by asbestos exposure:
Asbestos Products in the Railroad Industry
Asbestos was used in different areas of locomotives primarily because of its resistance to heat and friction, but also for a resistance to electrical and chemical damage, sound absorption and tensile strength. Asbestos-containing insulation was used in several areas of the train including engine rooms, box-cars, cabooses, boiler rooms, and around various pipes. Asbestos was also used in refrigeration units, railroad brakes, clutches, gaskets, packing, rope, cement, and ceiling/floor tiles.
Changing brake shoes was perhaps the most dangerous activity for a worker to perform due to the almost certain exposure. Asbestos was used in the brakes because of its resistance to heat and friction but the brakes as a whole would eventually wear down, making them more likely to release dust and fibers. These brake shoes were replaced frequently, so someone charged with this task likely performed it thousands of times. Gaskets were also dangerous because they were not usually customized for a specific. To modify the gasket it was often cut, ground, and sanded which released the embedded asbestos fibers into the air.
As with most occupational asbestos exposures, the on-site workers are not the only people at risk for asbestosis, mesothelioma, and the other health risks. Railroad workers often returned to their home covered in asbestos fibers putting both family and friends at risk.
Were You Exposed to Asbestos at Your Railroad Job? Asbestos Attorneys May be Able to Help
It is recommended that people who have spent a significant period of time working with and around trains get a full physical evaluation by a doctor. Mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure, may take up to 30-40 years to manifest. Like many other diseases, it is important to catch the disease in its early stages. At-risk workers should pay close attention to any mesothelioma symptoms which include fluid in the lungs, chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and fatigue.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and believe you were exposed to asbestos over the course of your railroad career, you may be entitled to an mesothelioma settlement from your former employer. To learn more about your legal options, please one of our asbestos attorneys for a free case evaluation.