Five Railroad Interstitial Lung Disease Lessons From The Pros

Railroad Leukemia

Many railroad workers suffer long-term exposure to carcinogens. They are exposed to benzene on a daily basis, but also to herbicides like dicamba or 2,4D.

LaTonya Payne is from Houston's fifth ward, near the Union Pacific rail yard where creosote is kept. Payne's son who was afflicted with leukemia passed away in July.

Benzene

It is a clear and inflammable liquid that has numerous uses. It is a component in some of the solvents used by railroad workers. It is also in diesel exhaust fumes. Benzene has been proven to be a cancer-causing agent. Studies have also shown that exposure to it could cause leukemia. Exposure to this chemical has been linked to Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). The DNA structure of benzene is altered and can trigger cancerous cell growth. Benzene causes chromosome alterations within bone marrow, which is where new blood cells are produced.

Many international and national agencies study substances to determine if they could cause cancer. Benzene is classified as a carcinogen belonging to the group one which means it is likely to cause cancer in humans. These organizations assess a range of human and animal studies in order to make decisions.

AML and MDS are blood-related diseases, so if railroad workers are exposed to these chemicals over prolonged periods of time they may be at risk of developing either condition. Fortunately, Railroad Interstitial Lung Disease there are ways to safeguard against these hazardous substances. Railway machinists, for instance wear a mask in order to keep benzene out of their system.

Another method to guard against benzene is to stay away from working around it. It's not easy to do this since a lot of railroad jobs require workers to work on tracks which are constantly moving. These steps might not completely shield railroad interstitial lung Disease workers from being exposed to benzene but it will aid.

Trichloroethylene

Trichloroethylene is a liquid that contains chlorination that was once extensively employed in manufacturing processes as well as an industrial cleaner for metals. It is also a environmental pollutant that has affected groundwater in a few communities across the nation. TCE can be absorbed via the skin, inhaled, or ingestion. The chemical may cause a variety of health issues based on how long and what type of exposure you have.

Exposure to high levels TCE can cause nausea, vomiting, confusion and even unconsciousness. It can also trigger kidney and liver failure. TCE is also carcinogen. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, TCE is classified as a group 1 carcinogen. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists also declares it a human cancerous substance, with the possibility of genetic toxicity.

TCE is an extremely toxic chemical. It also acts as an irritant to the skin and respiratory irritant. It is also a fire hazard. If exposed to an ignition source, it may react and form perchloroethylene or dichlorovinyl cysteine. These substances are soluble and can be taken up by the skin. TCE is also processed by the liver and kidneys in animals and humans that result in the oxidative metabolites dichloroacetic and trichloroacetic acids. These metabolites can be responsible for producing DNA mutations and cell expansion, which are characteristic of leukemia.

Creosote

Creosote, a wood preservative that ranges from colorless yellow, is made up of several natural chemicals. It is used on utility poles and railroad ties to protect against termites fungus and mites. It also has antiseptic properties. It has also been used to treat toothaches, ear infections and stomach issues. However, prolonged exposure to it can result in serious health issues.

In the 19th century coal tar was employed to treat tuberculosis. The effectiveness of radiation therapy was demonstrated in 1910, and it was replaced. In the long run, exposure to low levels of creosote may cause skin cancer, respiratory irritation, and eye irritation. It can also damage the lungs, kidneys and liver. The exposure to high levels the chemical could cause unconsciousness or death.

Creosote can be toxic to marine life, as per research. It has been shown to cause skeletal changes and ineffective swimming in Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) embryos at concentrations up to 5aEUR%0I 1/4g/L total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Creosote-treated lumber has been proven to be a similar risk in laboratory tests.

A creosote-contaminated rail yard has been linked to a cancer cluster in Houston, and residents are concerned about the effects of the contamination on their children. Union Pacific has held community meetings and is testing drinking water near the site. A study conducted by the Texas Department of State Health Services shows that children living in the area have higher than normal rates of leukemia and other types of cancer.

Magnetic Fields

Magnetic fields are the areas of energy that encompass electrical devices. They are also present naturally in the natural environment. Numerous studies have investigated whether EMFs that are created by humans can cause cancer, and most studies have found that daily exposure to them does not raise the risk of cancer in adults. However, some studies have found that long-term exposure to EMFs in the workplace may increase a person's risk for certain types of cancer.

In a study that was published ahead of print in Occupational and Environmental Medicine researchers examined the records of 20,000 Swiss railway workers for 30 years. They tracked the workers' long-term exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs). Researchers found that train driver and stationmasters, who were the most exposed to ELF-EMFs were more likely to be developing myeloid lymphoma as well as Hodgkin's lymphoma.

In earlier studies who had jobs where they were exposed to ELF-EMFs experienced higher than expected rates of certain cancers such as leukemia, breast cancer in males, and brain tumors. However the most recent studies - which include some that used actual exposures of workers but did not find any such increased risk.

The researchers concluded that the higher risk of myeloid leukemia and Hodgkin's lymphoma among train workers was the most significant. Nearly half of the cases were found to be in the highest risk group. The researchers concluded that the increased risk of developing these diseases cannot be explained by factors such as socioeconomic status or smoking which could not influence the incidence of these two blood cancers.