The link between long-term railroad work and PFAS-related cancers

You can make informed decisions about your health and legal options if you worked in rail yards where AFFF was regularly used and were diagnosed with cancer based on the scientific evidence linking PFAS exposure to specific cancers.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC/NIOSH) identifies that workers can be exposed to PFAS in ways that differ from the general public, such as handling concentrated products or breathing PFAS-laden air at work. CDC/NIOSH includes firefighters among occupations with higher occupational PFAS exposure, and railroad firefighters and emergency responders face similar exposure patterns.

It has been shown that long-term exposure to PFAS is linked to harmful health outcomes, including cancer. A persistent dose of these "forever chemicals" can affect cellular function for decades after exposure, because they do not break down in the body and accumulate over time.

Scientific evidence of elevated cancer risk

Although direct epidemiological studies specifically on railroad workers exposed to AFFF are limited in the scientific literature, firefighter exposure research provides credible evidence because both groups encounter PFAS through occupational use of AFFF and similar gear and equipment. Occupational settings with AFFF use have shown elevated serum levels of long-chain PFAS compounds.

Based on occupational exposure patterns, PFAS exposure in firefighters was associated with elevated serum PFAS levels and a potential link with thyroid, kidney, bladder, testicular, prostate, and colon cancers.

The firefighting occupation classified as carcinogenic

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, firefighting is classified as Group 1, or "carcinogenic to humans." This classification is based on human cancers, such as mesothelioma and bladder cancers, as well as links to prostate and testicular cancers. Even though this classification includes exposure to smoke and combustion, occupational chemical exposures, such as PFAS, are biologically plausible.

Biological mechanisms support cancer risk

Researchers recently found that PFAS exposure can alter gene activity linked to cancer development, affecting microRNA and DNA methylation pathways. Studies have found that PFAS exposure over time may result in carcinogenesis in workers exposed to the chemical.

Firefighter studies have shown that PFAS in AFFF can alter gene expression and increase the risk of cancer. These biological effects can also be caused by railroad work that is related to PFAS and AFFF.

Guidance on screening and early detection

While there is no universally accepted PFAS-specific cancer screening protocol, authoritative health agencies and occupational clinicians suggest:

• Baseline health evaluations for workers with known chronic PFAS exposure, particularly for thyroid, kidney, and testicular health. These evaluations establish a health record that can detect changes over time.
• Cancer screening according to national guidelines, including kidney and prostate cancer screenings based on risk factors and age. It may be beneficial for workers who have been exposed to PFAS to undergo screening more often or earlier than recommended by standard protocols.
• Checking for signs of early organ dysfunction, such as changes in urination habits, unexplained weight loss, or lumps and nodules. Early detection through appropriate screenings may improve outcomes for conditions potentially associated with PFAS exposure.

Based on exposure history and emerging evidence, occupational medicine and environmental health specialists can tailor screenings. If you have been exposed to PFAS and AFFF over a long period of time, you should talk to your healthcare provider about how your exposure history has affected your cancer risk.

Legal options for railroad workers with PFAS-related cancers

A combination of occupational exposures and medical evidence of cancer is relevant when negligence contributed to unsafe exposures under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA). Health conditions caused by the use of AFFF by railroad companies without proper protective equipment, training, or warnings may be held accountable for their actions.

For over 35 years, Environmental Litigation Group has represented victims of toxic exposure. Contact us today to discuss your case and to learn about your legal options if you developed cancer after long-term railroad work that involved AFFF exposure.