Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers who work for long periods are more susceptible to occupational lung diseases like pulmonary and fibrosis. Prior to 2010, safety guidelines did not require workers to wear protective masks which exposed workers to exhaust fumes and hazardous fumes from idle work engines.
Asbestos exposure as well as diesel exhaust, and other workplace hazards may cause interstitial pulmonary disease. It usually takes a long time for symptoms to show which makes it difficult to make any direct link between work-related health and illness.
Asbestos
Asbestos is made up of naturally occurring minerals that are well-known in the construction industry due to their fire-resistant, corrosion resistant and insulation properties. Exposure to these microscopic fibers increases the chance of developing lung cancer mesothelioma (a rare form of cancer that grows in the protective linings of organs) and asbestosis (scarring of the lungs). The symptoms of asbestos-related ailments may take up to 30 years to appear.
When asbestos is disturbed fibers break down into tiny, elongated pieces known as fibrils. They can be inhaled easily and then lodged in the lungs. If they cause irritation, lungs produce scar tissue that makes breathing difficult. Exposure to high levels of asbestos that is in the air over long periods of time also increases the chance of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is rare and deadly form of lung cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.
Asbestos is now banned, however railroad companies frequently challenge FELA claims made by railroad workers and their families, as the companies knew that the material could be dangerous for employees. An increasing number of historical records suggest that many railroads had knowingly exposed workers to asbestos even after they realized that asbestos could cause mesothelioma and other health problems. This may constitute negligence, which entitles railroad employees and their families to compensation. If you worked on trains in the past, call an Virginia railroad injury lawyer today for more information about filing an FELA claim.
Diesel Exhaust
The diesel engine has replaced coal as the main power source for trains in America since the 1940s. Before that, trains utilized coal to produce toxic black soot that people were regularly breathing in.
Diesel exhaust fumes are a mix of with ultrafine and combustible gases. The chemicals in the gas component of diesel exhaust change form into liquid or vapor forms, then get carried through the air as tiny particles. These particles are breathed in through the lungs, causing irritation to lung tissue over time.
This could result in a lung condition that is chronically known as railroad workers interstitial pulmonary disease (ILD). Long-term exposure of diesel exhaust can increase the risk of COPD.
The smoke from diesel engines is a mixture of thousands of different chemicals that include carbon monoxide nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. They also produce polycyclic Hydrocarbons, which can cause cancer. The fine particles found in diesel exhaust may cause irritation to the lungs and cause inflammation.
Although there has been a significant reduction in diesel pollution with the use of cleaner fuels and catalytic converters, contaminants remain in the air. They can cause ground-level ozone, which causes breathing problems in people and can harm trees, crops and plants. They can also trigger acid rain, which harms the water quality of streams, lakes and rivers.
Smoking
Smoking is the leading cause of a myriad of serious health conditions. Smoking can damage the tiny air sacs in the lungs, referred to as alveoli. This affects the lungs' ability to take in oxygen, which makes breathing more difficult.
Colon cancer lawsuit settlements is an interstitial lung condition caused by scarring of lung tissue that blocks the lungs from supplying oxygen to the rest of the body. The condition progresses and can cause shortness of breath, fatigue as well as coughing and rubbing of the fingers and toes. If not treated, it could lead to death.
Railroad workers are at risk of being at risk of developing lung diseases like pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, Emphysema, and COPD. They could also be exposed to asbestos-related toxic fumes and workplace materials as well as diesel exhaust fumes. These exposures to toxic substances could lead to a variety of health conditions, such as mesothelioma and cancer.
Railroad companies could have prevented the tens of thousands or so of rail workers from suffering debilitating and fatal lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis, by providing them with adequate respiratory protection. Failure to do so constitutes negligence under the Federal Employers Liability Act.
Other Exposures
Other conditions, like the autoimmune disease rheumatoid and rheumatoi can lead to interstitial pulmonary disease. Certain medications can increase the likelihood of developing respiratory issues and pulmonary fibrosis. If you are employed in a job that involves working in rail yards, you are exposed to numerous hazards such as the fumes, chemicals and oil. These exposures can trigger silicosis, a condition that causes lung scarring similar to asbestosis. If the condition becomes worse it can lead to right-sided cardiac failure (cor pulmonale) because your heart will have to be more efficient in pumping blood through blocked blood vessels. This could cause respiratory failure and even death.