Understanding PFAS exposure risks for railroad workers

Because they are thermally stable and can repel both oil and water, synthetic chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been used in various applications in the railroad industry. While it's widely known that railroad workers are constantly surrounded by industrial chemicals, many workers are still unaware that they may be handling PFAS-laden products like lubricants, fluids, and foams. Understanding the source of exposure to these chemicals is the first step in protecting your rights under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA), which states that your railroad company is legally required to provide a reasonably safe working environment.

Common sources of PFAS in the railroad industry

For railroad workers, including mechanics, engineers, and Maintenance of Way (MOW) workers, PFAS exposure may occur in either of two ways: long-term cumulative exposure from tools and parts that keep the train running, or high-volume exposure during railroad accidents where firefighting foam is used. If you have worked as a railroad worker and later developed a linkable cancer, your condition might be related to your PFAS exposure through contact with the following products:

1. Lubricant oils and hydraulic fluids. PFAS are added to lubricants, solvents, and hydraulic fluids to reduce surface tension, lessen evaporation, and prevent fires. A pilot study found long-chain PFAS and their precursors in 18 samples of automotive lubricants (engine oils, hydraulic fluids, and greases) purchased in the USA. Railroad workers may be exposed to these products via dermal absorption or inhalation, especially when the company does not provide specialized protective equipment.
2. Rail supply components. PFAS have been extensively used in other vehicle parts, including hoses and lines, seals and gaskets, and batteries. Fluoropolymers have been incorporated into O-rings to seal fuel containment systems and fuel injectors.
3. Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). AFFF has been the standard for suppressing Class B fires, and it contains PFAS chemicals that make it effective in blanketing the fire. Class B fires often occur at railroad crash sites involving fuels typically transported by rail. In typical incidents, around 100 gallons of AFFF concentrate are used, mixed with water to form over 3,000 gallons of foam solution to rain down on the crash site. For major incidents, the volume can reach up to 300 gallons of AFFF concentrate to form around 10,000 gallons of foam solution. The PFAS chemicals in the foam linger in the equipment and in the area of the crash site, continuously exposing railroad workers to these chemicals long after an accident.

What railroad workers should watch out for: PFAS-related cancers

The link between PFAS and different types of cancer has been established by numerous scientific studies. Under FELA, a railroad worker may pursue damages for occupational illness caused by the employer's negligence. You may be eligible to file claims if you have proof of exposure to PFAS at work and you have been diagnosed with any of the following medical conditions:

• Kidney cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Liver cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Breast cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Leukemia
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Multiple myeloma

You may file a FELA claim if you developed a PFAS-related cancer from railroad work

Under the Federal Employers' Liability Act, railroad companies must provide a reasonably safe workplace for you. Employers may be held liable for your occupational illness if it's proven that they knew, or it's found that they should have known, about cancer-causing PFAS chemicals in solvents, lubricants, fluids, or firefighting foam that you may encounter in your line of work. ELG Law can evaluate your case by checking your proof of exposure (employment records) and medical records (diagnosis). Contact us to get a free case evaluation from our attorneys.