The #1 St. Louis Railroad Worker Chemical Exposure Lawyer

St. Louis railroad workers face prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals during routine job functions in railyards, maintenance shops, and locomotive cabs.

Workplace exposures often involve diesel fumes, asbestos pipe insulation, and crystalline silica dust—all of which present an elevated risk of serious health conditions, including respiratory disease and cancer.

For example, ultrafine particles from diesel exhaust can accumulate in poorly ventilated spaces and remain in the lungs long after exposure.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued warnings about the dangers of these substances, yet many workers continue to encounter them daily without adequate protection.

Silica sand and silica dust are especially common during track maintenance or when ballast is disturbed, leading to inhalation risks over both a short period or long period depending on job duties.

Asbestos, once used in electrical panels, brakes, and pipe insulation, still lingers in older railcars and shop infrastructure, posing danger when disturbed.

Even moderate exposure over time can contribute to chronic illness or accelerate latent diseases.

Despite known hazards, many St. Louis rail workers continue to labor in environments where toxic exposure is routine and protections remain inconsistent.

Types of Chemical Exposure Commonly Experienced by St Louis Railroad Workers

Railroad work exposes employees to a wide range of toxic substances through direct skin contact, inhalation, and long-term environmental presence in rail yards, engine rooms, and repair shops.

These exposures can be acute or chronic, with health consequences that often appear years later.

From loading crude oil tankers to welding in confined spaces, the nature of the railroad industry places workers in constant proximity to hazardous materials.

Below is a detailed list of chemical hazards commonly encountered in railroad work:

• Diesel Fuel & Diesel Exhaust Fumes: Emitted during locomotive operation and refueling. Contains benzene, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and ultrafine particulates. Often accumulates in engine rooms, cabs, and enclosed maintenance shops.
• Crude Oil: Transported in tankers. Spills, leaks, and loading operations expose workers to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
• Benzene-Containing Solvents: Found in degreasers, brake cleaners, and engine additives. Benzene is absorbed through skin and lungs and is strongly linked to leukemia and other blood cancers.
• Asbestos Fibers: Present in pipe insulation, brake pads, gaskets, and older locomotive components. Asbestos exposure occurs during repairs, maintenance, and demolition work.
• Silica Dust: Generated during track repair, ballast handling, concrete cutting, and sanding operations. Inhalation over time causes silicosis and raises lung cancer risk.
• Welding Fumes: Produced during track fabrication, rolling stock repairs, and structural maintenance. Contains manganese, chromium, and lead oxide fumes, especially dangerous in poorly ventilated spaces.
• Creosote: Used to treat railroad ties and timber bridges. Exposure occurs through skin contact and inhalation when cutting or working near aging wooden ties.
• Degreasing Solvents: Includes trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PERC), which are used for cleaning engine parts and electrical components. Both are classified as carcinogenic.
• Lead-Based Paints & Dust: Found on aging infrastructure and rolling stock. Sanding or chipping old surfaces releases lead particles into the air.
• Lubricants and Hydraulic Fluids: Exposure during coupling, brake work, or equipment maintenance. These often contain mineral oils and chemical additives with endocrine-disrupting properties.
• Pesticides and Herbicides: Sprayed along tracks for vegetation control. Workers may be exposed through drift, surface contact, or during application.
• Battery Acids: Used in signal systems, emergency equipment, and backup power. Can cause burns and respiratory irritation upon contact or inhalation.
• Freight Residue Chemicals: Railcars transporting industrial chemicals can leave behind toxic residue, including chlorine, sulfur dioxide, and ammonium nitrate.
• Industrial Cleaning Agents: Used in rail yard sanitation or chemical cleaning of tankers. Can include caustic agents, ammonia, and aldehydes.
• Paints and Coatings: Contains VOCs like toluene and xylene, often used during refurbishment projects in enclosed or semi-enclosed shop environments.

Each of these substances carries its own set of health risks depending on exposure duration, concentration, and route (inhalation, dermal, ingestion).

Types of Cancer and Serious Health Issues Suffered by Railroad Workers

Railroad workers face heightened cancer risk due to years of occupational exposures to diesel fumes, asbestos, silica dust, and other chemicals.

According to findings from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), many of these exposures are recognized risk factors for developing serious illnesses.

Prolonged or repeated contact with toxic substances in rail yards, engine houses, or during maintenance work can significantly increase the chance of illness.

Below is a detailed overview of serious health conditions commonly linked to toxic exposures in the railroad industry:

• Lung Cancer: Prolonged inhalation of diesel exhaust, asbestos fibers, and silica dust significantly increases the risk of lung cancer among railroad workers. Diesel exhaust contains carcinogenic compounds like benzene and formaldehyde, while asbestos and silica dust can cause chronic inflammation and scarring in lung tissue, leading to malignancy.
• Kidney Cancer: Exposure to industrial solvents such as trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PERC), commonly used in degreasing and cleaning operations, has been associated with an increased risk of kidney cancer. These chemicals can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled, accumulating in the kidneys over time.
• Liver Cancer: Chronic exposure to solvents like TCE and PERC not only affects the kidneys but also poses a risk to liver health. These substances can cause liver toxicity and have been linked to liver cancer in workers with prolonged exposure.
• Stomach Cancer and Colorectal Cancer: Ingestion or inhalation of carcinogens such as benzene, found in diesel fuel and exhaust, and creosote, used in treating railroad ties, has been linked to gastrointestinal cancers, including stomach and colorectal cancers.
• Mesothelioma: This aggressive cancer affects the lining of the lungs and is primarily caused by asbestos exposure. Railroad workers involved in maintenance and repair of older equipment may inhale asbestos fibers released from insulation and brake components.
• Multiple Myeloma: A type of blood cancer that affects plasma cells, multiple myeloma has been linked to chronic exposure to benzene and other toxic solvents used in the railroad industry. Workers exposed over time—especially in enclosed shops or during degreasing and maintenance operations—may face an elevated risk of developing this condition.
• Toxic Encephalopathy: Long-term exposure to organic solvents used in cleaning and maintenance can lead to toxic encephalopathy, a condition characterized by cognitive deficits, memory loss, and mood disturbances. Symptoms often develop gradually and may be misattributed to aging.
• Leukemia and Other Blood Disorders: Benzene exposure, prevalent in diesel exhaust and certain solvents, is a well-known risk factor for blood cancers such as leukemia. Railroad workers exposed to benzene over extended periods are at increased risk of developing these conditions.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Inhalation of a train’s diesel fumes, silica dust, and other airborne irritants can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, a group of lung diseases that cause breathing difficulties. Railroad workers in environments with poor air quality are particularly susceptible.

The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) is a federal statute that provides railroad personnel with a legal avenue to recover compensation for injuries or illnesses caused by their work environment.

Unlike traditional workers’ compensation, FELA is fault-based, meaning affected workers must prove that their injury or disease resulted from negligence by the railroad company.

This law recognizes the inherent risks of railroad work—especially in jobs involving chemical use, mechanical operations, or exposure to hazardous substances—and aims to hold employers accountable for unsafe conditions.

FELA applies to a wide range of injuries, including those that develop over time due to repeated exposure to harmful agents in the workplace.

Railroad employees may develop occupational diseases from diesel exposure, inhalation of toxic fumes, or contact with hazardous substances like solvents, weed killers, and other industrial chemicals.

Cancer patients who worked in railroad shops, railyards, or on locomotives may be eligible to file FELA claims, especially when exposed to high concentrations of diesel exhaust or asbestos over extended periods.

Claims can also be filed for sudden traumatic injuries such as falls, crush incidents, or equipment malfunctions.

The scope of coverage under FELA is broad and includes both physical injuries and illnesses caused by prolonged exposure.

Many workers are unaware that illnesses such as COPD, kidney cancer, or leukemia may stem from occupational hazards that qualify under FELA.

Types of injuries and exposures covered by FELA include:

• Diesel exposure: Inhalation of toxic diesel fumes over time, especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas.
• Occupational disease: Illnesses caused by long-term chemical exposure, including lung disease and cancer.
• Chemical contact: Direct skin contact with solvents, degreasers, or weed killers used in maintenance and shop work.
• Respiratory conditions: Chronic bronchitis, COPD, or asthma aggravated by work-related exposures.
• Asbestos exposure: Workers exposed to asbestos, commonly through insulation materials, pipe wraps, or brake components in aging equipment.
• Silica dust exposure: Inhalation of fine particles from ballast work, cutting, or grinding activities.
• Hearing loss: Resulting from inadequate hearing protection in high-noise environments.
• Traumatic injuries: Broken bones, back injuries, or amputations from train operations or yard accidents.
• Heat or chemical burns: From spills, explosions, or contact with corrosive materials.
• Cancers: Including bladder, lung, kidney, and liver cancers linked to toxic exposure.

What is the Difference Between FELA and Workers’ Compensation?

Unlike traditional workers’ compensation laws, FELA is not a no-fault system.

Instead, workers must prove negligence on the part of their employer.

This could include failure to follow safety regulations, provide adequate training, maintain equipment, or correct known hazards.

If any part of the injury was caused by the employer’s carelessness—even in small part—the injured railroader may recover damages.

The statute applies not only to traumatic injuries, but also to occupational diseases resulting from exposure to diesel exhaust, silica dust, asbestos, and other toxic substances over time.

FELA covers employees engaged in interstate commerce, which encompasses nearly all modern-day railroad work.

It allows injured workers (or their survivors in cases of wrongful death) to bring claims in either state or federal court, offering flexibility and broader remedies than state-based workers’ compensation systems.

These remedies can include compensation for past and future lost earnings, medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of life enjoyment, and emotional distress.

Can I Sue for Wrongful Death of a Loved One Through FELA?

Yes, the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) explicitly allows for wrongful death claims when a railroad worker is killed due to their employer’s negligence.

According to 45 U.S.C. § 51, “every common carrier by railroad… shall be liable in damages to any person suffering injury while he is employed… or, in case of the death of such employee, to his or her personal representative.”

This means a surviving spouse, child, or dependent family member may bring a FELA claim through the personal representative of the deceased worker’s estate.

The statute enables recovery for damages such as lost financial support, funeral expenses, and the pain and suffering the worker endured before death.

A FELA wrongful death case must still prove that the railroad’s negligence contributed, even in part, to the fatal injury.

St. Louis stands as a pivotal hub in the U.S. rail network, with its strategic location along the Mississippi River facilitating extensive freight and passenger train operations.

The city’s rail infrastructure encompasses a variety of major yards, intermodal terminals, and historic depots, all contributing to its prominence in national transportation.

For railroad workers, these facilities are not only centers of employment but also environments where exposure to hazardous substances can occur.

Major Freight and Intermodal Rail Yards

• Madison Yard (Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis – TRRA): Located in Madison, Illinois, Madison Yard is the largest classification yard in the St. Louis region. Operated by the TRRA, it features 80 inbound, outbound, and holding tracks with a capacity of 2,200 cars. The yard serves as a central interchange point for multiple Class I railroads.
• Luther Yard (Norfolk Southern Railway): Situated in North St. Louis, Missouri, Luther Yard is a key facility for Norfolk Southern. Built in 1890, the yard spans over 30 acres and handles a significant volume of freight traffic weekly.
• Rose Lake Yard (CSX Transportation): Located in Fairmont City, Illinois, Rose Lake Yard is a major intermodal terminal for CSX. It serves both domestic and international freight, processing a substantial number of container lifts annually.
• Gateway Yard (Alton & Southern Railway): Operated by the Alton & Southern Railway, a subsidiary of Union Pacific, Gateway Yard is situated in East St. Louis, Illinois. It functions as a crucial switching yard, facilitating the movement of freight across the region.
• Dupo Yard (Union Pacific Railroad): Located in Dupo, Illinois, Dupo Yard is a significant facility for Union Pacific. It handles various freight operations and serves as a vital link in the company’s network.

Major Passenger and Commuter Train Terminals

• Gateway Multimodal Transportation Center: Located near downtown St. Louis, this facility serves as the city’s primary intercity transportation hub. It accommodates Amtrak trains, Greyhound buses, and local MetroLink light rail services, providing comprehensive connectivity for passengers.

If you’re a current or former railroad worker diagnosed with an occupational illness after short term exposure or prolonged contact with toxic substances, you may be eligible to pursue a claim under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

Qualification often depends on your specific work history, the types of chemicals you encountered, and whether your employer failed to provide adequate protection.

Blood tests and other medical evaluations can help establish links between your condition and hazardous substances used in the railroad industry.

Even if your exposure happened years ago, documentation and testimony from other workers who performed similar tasks or worked in the same environment can support your claim.

Conditions like lung disease, cancers, and neurological disorders may not appear until long after the exposure occurred.

Our team of Railroad Injury Lawyers will investigate whether safety regulations were ignored and whether your employer was negligent in controlling your risk of exposure.

A successful claim can provide compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

If you or a loved one developed cancer or another serious illness after years of working in the railroad industry, Gianaris Trial Lawyers is here to help.

Our firm represents St. Louis railroad workers and their families in lawsuits involving toxic chemical exposure, fighting to hold negligent railroad companies accountable.

We have extensive experience in FELA claims and are committed to helping affected workers recover the compensation they deserve for lost income, medical treatment, and the immense toll these illnesses take.

Contact Gianaris Trial Lawyers today for a free consultation.

You can also use the chat feature on this page for a free and instant case evaluation.

We will review your case, explain your legal options, and guide you through every step of the process.

Our team is available 24/7 and won’t stop working until you get the justice you’re owed.