February 25, 2021

Mesothelioma in Railroad Workers

Share this post

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Email

Request a Callback

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name*
MM slash DD slash YYYY

Asbestos
Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma
Unions & Trades

The Harmful Reality of Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was once known as the “miracle mineral” for its unique resistance to heat, fire, chemicals, and electricity. It was mined and then used across industries in the early 20th century and into the late 20th century until the dangers of it became widely known.

Asbestos is made up of tiny fibers that cannot be dispelled by the human body if inhaled. When it is disturbed, the tiny fibers disperse throughout the air and are easily inhaled. In many cases, people don’t know when they’ve been exposed to asbestos because the fibers are not easy to see and they free float through the air. It’s usually decades later that someone may develop an asbestos-related disease and then realize that they were exposed.

But why decades later? Asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma have a long dormancy stage. This rare, aggressive, and fatal cancer forms on the protective lining of the lungs, abdomen, testicles, or heart, but can lay dormant for decades before developing. There is currently no cure for mesothelioma, but there are treatment options available to reduce symptoms and help improve someone’s quality of life.

The Science Behind Asbestos Toxicity

The microscopic nature of asbestos fibers makes them particularly dangerous to human health. These fibers are so small that they can penetrate deep into lung tissue and become permanently lodged. Unlike other particles that the body can naturally expel, asbestos fibers remain embedded in tissue for decades, causing chronic inflammation and scarring that eventually leads to cancerous changes.

The six types of asbestos minerals – chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite – all pose health risks, but some are more dangerous than others. Crocidolite, also known as blue asbestos, is considered the most dangerous due to its needle-like structure that easily penetrates lung tissue. Railroad workers were often exposed to multiple types of asbestos simultaneously, compounding their health risks.

Understanding Asbestos Health Effects

The asbestos health effects extend far beyond mesothelioma. Prolonged asbestos exposure can lead to several serious conditions, each with devastating consequences for railroad workers and their families. Asbestosis, a progressive scarring of the lungs, causes severe breathing difficulties and can be fatal. Lung cancer, often indistinguishable from smoking-related cancer, occurs at significantly higher rates among asbestos-exposed workers.

Additional asbestos side effects include pleural plaques, thickening of the lung lining that can cause chest pain and breathing difficulties. These conditions often develop alongside other diseases, creating complex medical challenges. Railroad workers may experience a combination of these conditions, with symptoms that worsen over time. The asbestos health concerns are particularly acute for workers who were employed during the peak years of asbestos use in the railroad industry.

Understanding Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a direct cause of asbestos exposure. Unfortunately, during its early stages, it is commonly mistaken for minor ailments or illnesses. The symptoms of mesothelioma typically persist for months or even years before a patient may be properly diagnosed. This is why, if you believe you have been exposed to asbestos fibers as a railroad worker, you need to undergo regular medical monitoring and screening. This can improve your chances of obtaining an early diagnosis and enable you to start treatment right away.

Symptoms and signs of mesothelioma typically include:

  • Coughing
  • Fatigue
  • Pain in the lower back or side of the chest
  • Respiratory infection
  • Shortness of breath or painful breathing
  • Sudden and unexplained weight loss
  • Bowel and digestive difficulties
  • Fever
  • Swelling and fluid buildup

Getting a mesothelioma diagnosis requires many tests to confirm its existence and it can often be confused with lung cancer. The primary difference is the fluid buildup around the lungs (pleural effusion) or in the abdomen (ascites). This fluid would need to be tested for cancer cells, and then a biopsy would be needed for the doctor to confirm the presence of cancer.

Types of Mesothelioma Affecting Railroad Workers

Railroad workers can develop several types of mesothelioma based on where asbestos fibers lodge in their bodies. Pleural mesothelioma, affecting the lining of the lungs, is the most common form and accounts for approximately 75% of all cases. Workers who inhaled asbestos dust while working on locomotives or in rail yards are particularly susceptible to this type.

Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining of the abdomen and represents about 20% of cases. This form can develop when workers inadvertently ingest asbestos fibers through contaminated food or water, or when fibers migrate from the lungs to the abdomen. Pericardial mesothelioma, affecting the heart’s lining, and testicular mesothelioma are much rarer but equally serious.

Many railroad workers who have “died of a chest condition” in their seventies, eighties, or nineties may have actually succumbed to mesothelioma that went undiagnosed during their lifetime. The long latency period means that symptoms often don’t appear until workers are well into retirement, making proper diagnosis challenging. Families often receive death certificates listing pneumonia, heart failure, or other conditions without understanding the underlying asbestos-related disease that may have been the true cause.

Mesothelioma Rates in Railroad Workers

Railroad workers have some of the highest levels of mesothelioma cases across the U.S., depending largely on their job functions. Unfortunately, despite the changes in regulations to protect railroad workers, railroad workers need to be aware of the current dangers. And if you have been a railroad worker in the past, it’s important to be aware of your level of risk of developing an asbestos-related disease.

Studies have shown that railroad workers face a mortality rate from mesothelioma that is significantly higher than the general population. Workers who were employed by major rail companies between the 1940s and 1980s face the greatest risk, as this period coincided with peak asbestos use in the industry. The risk varies by job function, with locomotive engineers, brake operators, and maintenance workers showing the highest rates of asbestos-related diseases.

History of Asbestos Use in the Railroad Industry

Railroads were the most popular choice for transportation by the late 19th century, particularly as major cities became more industrialized. Railroads were used to deliver fuel, building supplies, agricultural products, food, and more. More and more railways continued to be constructed, and consequently, additional workers were hired to build them, manage them, and repair them.

In its heyday, the railroad industry had over 300,000 miles of railway that was closely maintained by railroad workers. These workers constructed, inspected, repaired, and rebuilt roadbeds and railroad ties. They were responsible for ensuring that the railways operated efficiently. To ensure efficiency, there were three main types of railroad workers:

  • Conductors and yardmasters coordinated everyday activities and managed the other workers.
  • Rail track maintenance equipment operators repaired and maintained the locomotives, including the electrical, plumbing, heating, and cooling systems.
  • Train operators and engineers were responsible for ensuring the trains traveled safely and arrived when they were expected to. They drove the trains, worked the switches, signals, and brakes, and ensured the proper functioning of the locomotives during travel. The subspecialties within this group included ironworkers, mechanics, brakemen, and switchmen.

In the 20th century, railroads accounted for roughly 33% of U.S. exports. To this day, there are still more than one million active railroad workers in the U.S.

Peak Years of Asbestos Use in Rail Transportation

The period from 1930 to 1980 marked the height of asbestos use in the railroad industry. During these decades, virtually every component of trains and railway infrastructure contained asbestos materials. Locomotive manufacturers incorporated asbestos into brake shoes, gaskets, insulation, and engine components. The widespread adoption of diesel locomotives in the 1950s actually increased asbestos use, as these engines required extensive insulation to manage heat and prevent fires.

Railway companies across the nation, including major lines that served Michigan such as the Pennsylvania Railroad, New York Central, and Grand Trunk Western, relied heavily on asbestos-containing materials. The mineral’s fire-resistant properties made it seem ideal for an industry where sparks, heat, and friction were constant concerns. Unfortunately, this period of heavy use coincided with limited understanding of asbestos health concerns, leaving thousands of workers unknowingly exposed to dangerous levels of the substance.

American Locomotive Company and Asbestos Exposure

The American Locomotive Company (ALCO) was one of the largest locomotive manufacturers in the United States, operating from 1901 to 1969. ALCO extensively used asbestos in their locomotive production, particularly in brake systems, gaskets, insulation, and heat shields. Workers at ALCO facilities, as well as railroad employees who operated and maintained ALCO locomotives, faced significant asbestos exposure risks.

American Locomotive Company asbestos exposure occurred at multiple stages of the manufacturing and maintenance process. During production, workers handled raw asbestos materials, mixed asbestos-containing compounds, and installed insulation containing the deadly fibers. The company’s Schenectady, New York facility was a major source of exposure, but ALCO locomotives operated nationwide, including on Michigan rail lines, exposing countless railroad workers to asbestos-containing components.

ALCO’s Legacy of Mesothelioma Cases

The connection between American Locomotive Company mesothelioma cases has been well-documented in legal proceedings across the country. Workers who developed mesothelioma after exposure to ALCO locomotives have successfully pursued compensation through product liability lawsuits. These cases have revealed the extent to which ALCO knew or should have known about the dangers of asbestos while continuing to use it in their products.

Railroad workers who serviced ALCO locomotives were particularly at risk when performing brake maintenance, engine repairs, and insulation replacement. The disturbance of asbestos-containing materials during these routine maintenance tasks released dangerous fibers into the air, creating widespread exposure opportunities. Many workers who have “died of a chest condition” in their eighties or nineties may have been victims of ALCO-related asbestos exposure that occurred decades earlier during their working years.

Modern Asbestos Risks for Railroad Workers

Despite regulations implemented in the 1970s and 1980s, asbestos railroad workers continue to face exposure risks today. Legacy asbestos materials remain in older rail infrastructure, including stations, roundhouses, and maintenance facilities built before asbestos regulations. When these buildings undergo renovation or demolition, workers can be exposed to disturbed asbestos fibers if proper safety protocols aren’t followed.

The question “are railroad ties toxic” frequently arises among current and former rail workers. While most modern railroad ties are made from treated wood or concrete, older installations may contain asbestos-containing materials in the ballast, adhesives, or associated infrastructure. Workers involved in track maintenance, particularly when working near vintage rail installations, should be aware of potential asbestos exposure risks.

Ongoing Exposure in Rail Yards and Facilities

Rail yards across Michigan and the United States contain numerous buildings and structures dating back to the peak asbestos era. Maintenance shops, locomotive houses, and administrative buildings constructed between 1930 and 1980 likely contain asbestos in insulation, floor tiles, ceiling materials, and pipe coverings. Workers in these facilities face potential exposure during routine maintenance, renovation projects, or emergency repairs.

Current safety regulations require proper asbestos testing and abatement procedures before disturbing materials in older rail facilities. However, emergency situations or inadequate safety oversight can still result in exposure incidents. Railroad workers should be trained to recognize potential asbestos-containing materials and understand their rights to a safe workplace under federal railway safety regulations.

Michigan Railroad Workers and Asbestos Exposure

Michigan’s rich railroad history has left thousands of current and former rail workers at risk for asbestos-related diseases. The state’s major rail lines, including the Grand Trunk Western, Penn Central, and Conrail, extensively used asbestos-containing materials throughout their operations. Michigan railroad workers face unique challenges, as many worked for multiple companies during their careers, potentially compounding their exposure risks.

The industrial corridor from Detroit to Grand Rapids was particularly dense with rail activity during the peak asbestos years. Workers at facilities in Dearborn, Pontiac, Battle Creek, and other Michigan rail centers handled locomotives and equipment containing high levels of asbestos. Many Michigan railroad retirees now in their seventies, eighties, and nineties are experiencing health issues that may be related to occupational asbestos exposure from decades past.

Healthcare Access for Michigan Railroad Workers

Michigan railroad workers diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases have access to specialized medical care through facilities like the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center and Henry Ford Health System. However, many workers initially receive care at local hospitals that may not immediately recognize the connection between their symptoms and occupational asbestos exposure. Some workers report being treated at facilities “bisected by a railroad hospital” location, referring to medical centers located near major rail lines where railroad workers commonly seek treatment.

Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for railroad workers experiencing respiratory symptoms. Michigan workers should inform their healthcare providers about their railroad employment history and potential asbestos exposure, even if their symptoms seem minor. The state’s mesothelioma specialists are experienced in diagnosing and treating asbestos-related diseases in occupational exposure cases.

Legal Rights and Compensation for Railroad Workers

Railroad workers diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases have unique legal rights under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). Unlike most workers who must pursue workers’ compensation claims, railroad employees can file lawsuits directly against their employers for occupational injuries and diseases, including those caused by asbestos exposure.

FELA provides broader protection than traditional workers’ compensation, allowing railroad workers to recover damages for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, and reduced earning capacity. The law recognizes that railroad companies have a duty to provide a reasonably safe workplace and can be held liable when they fail to protect workers from known hazards like asbestos exposure.

Pursuing Multiple Claims for Railroad Workers

Many railroad workers have legal claims against multiple parties, including their employers, locomotive manufacturers, and asbestos product companies. Workers exposed to American Locomotive Company asbestos may have claims against both their railroad employer and ALCO’s successor companies. Similarly, workers exposed to asbestos-containing brake materials, gaskets, or insulation may have product liability claims against the manufacturers of those specific products.

The complexity of railroad asbestos cases requires experienced legal representation familiar with both FELA claims and asbestos litigation. Michigan railroad workers benefit from working with attorneys who understand the specific hazards of rail work and can identify all potential sources of compensation. These cases often involve extensive investigation into work history, medical records, and the specific asbestos-containing products that caused exposure.