There are certain things that increase the risk of getting laryngeal throat cancer. Some of these “risk factors” are lifestyle choices, such as longtime, heavy tobacco or alcohol use. Other things that can cause laryngeal cancer have been found for years in railroad yards and on railroad cars and locomotives. The important thing to know is that if you develop laryngeal cancer, or have a loved one who worked for the railroad who has cancer, don’t automatically assume it is 100% from smoking or alcohol. If you were exposed to cancer-causing substances while working for the railroad, those exposures would also have greatly increased your risk of getting cancer, even if you also smoked or drank alcohol. A prior blog explained the concept of synergy, which is the increased risk of getting cancer when you have more than one exposure.
What substances at the railroad cause laryngeal cancer?
- Asbestos- found in brake shoes, building insulation, locomotive insulation, asbestos rope, signal relay boards, and locomotive gaskets
- Diesel Exhaust- from locomotives, diesel-powered track repair equipment, and trucks
- Welding Fumes- from welding during repairs on rail cars, locomotives, steel rail, and “railroad frogs”
- Fumes and dusts from switching cars at railroad industrial customers, especially those engaged in the petroleum industry, chemical companies, textile industries and asbestos companies which made shingles, asbestos pipe, and insulation
Railroads have known of the cancer hazards associated with these toxic substances for many years. Prior blogs highlighted that the cancer hazards from these substances were known to all the major railroads going back decades. Similarly, the railroads were actively discussing that the risks of exposure could be eliminated or reduced with simple industrial hygiene safety measures. For example, as far back as 1935, while discussing the hazards of occupational dusts such as asbestos, railroad medical directors openly talked about some simple, inexpensive steps which could protect workers²:
- Testing the work area for dust levels to see if they were unsafe
- Providing respiratory protection to exposed workers
- Educating the workers about the potential hazards of breathing in dust
- Getting rid of the dust
Cancer is preventable! Whether it’s laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer, mesothelioma, colon cancer, esophageal cancer, kidney cancer, or any other type of cancer caused by dusts and fumes, cancer risks can be eliminated with safety measures to minimize worker exposures. Some railroads cut corners on safety to increase profits and now their current workers and retirees are left with life-threatening cancers. Compensation is available to these railroad workers and their families!
If you or a loved one has cancer from exposures on the railroad, call the railroad cancer lawsuit lawyers at Doran and Murphy to discuss your rights. You can call us at 1-800-374-2144 or contact us here to find out what compensation is available to you. Contact the railroad cancer lawyers today!
¹ American Cancer Society – Key Statistics for Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancers
² Association of American Railroads, Medical and Surgical Meeting Minutes, June 10-11, 1935
