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Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers have always been at risk of suffering occupational lung diseases like pulmonary and fibrosis. Before 2010, safety regulations rarely required crews wear protective masks. This exposed workers to exhaust fumes, as well as dangerous fumes from idling engines.
Asbestos, diesel exhaust and other workplace hazards can cause interstitial lung disease. It usually takes a long time before symptoms begin to manifest which makes it difficult to draw any direct link between the work environment and disease.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a mixture of minerals that naturally occur and are popular in the construction sector for their fire retardant, corrosion resistant and insulation properties. Exposure to these microfibers increases the likelihood of workers developing lung cancer mesothelioma (a rare form of cancer that forms in the protective linings of organs) and asbestosis (scarring of the lungs). leukemia caused by railroad how to get a settlement of asbestos-related ailments can take as long as 30 years before they appear.
When asbestos fibers are agitated they break up into smaller particles that are elongated, known as fibrils. The fibrils can be inhaled easily and lodge deep inside the lung. When they cause irritation, lungs produce scar tissues that make breathing difficult. Long-term exposure to high levels asbestos in the air can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. It is a rare and aggressive lung cancer that affects lining the lungs.
Asbestos has been banned, however, railroad corporations continue to fight FELA claims brought by railroad workers and family members because they knew asbestos was a risk. Asbestos is now banned but railroad companies frequently defend FELA claims brought by railroad workers and their families due to the fact that they knew that the material could pose a risk to employees. This could constitute negligence that entitles railroad workers and their families to compensation. Call an Virginia railroad injury attorney today to learn more about filing a FELA lawsuit if you have been involved in trains before.
Diesel Exhaust
Since the 1940s the diesel engine has been the primary source of power for trains in America. Before that, trains used coal to produce toxic black soot, which workers took in regularly.
Diesel exhaust fumes are a mixture superfine and combustible gasses. The chemicals in the gas portion of diesel exhaust change into either a liquid or vapor and then are carried through the air as tiny particles. These particles are inhaled through the lungs, causing irritation of lung tissues over time.
This can result in a chronic lung disease known as railroad workers' interstitial lung disease (ILD). Long-term exposure of diesel exhaust can also increase the risk of COPD.
Diesel engine smoke contains thousands of different chemicals including nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide. They also produce polycyclic hydrocarbons, which are carcinogenic. The particulate portion of diesel exhaust is made up of fine particles, which can irritate and inflame the lungs.
Although there has been a significant reduction in diesel emissions due to the use of cleaner fuel and catalytic converters, the pollutants remain in the air. They can cause the formation of ozone at ground level, which can cause breathing problems for humans and affect trees, crops and plants. They can also trigger acid rain, which harms the water quality of lakes, streams and rivers.
Smoking
Smoking is the primary cause of many serious health conditions. It impacts the lungs by harming the tiny air sacs, referred to as alveoli, inside the lungs. This decreases the lungs' capacity to absorb oxygen, making breathing more difficult.
Pulmonary fibrosis is an interstitial lung disorder that is characterized by scarring of the lung that prevents the lungs from providing oxygen to the rest of the body. The condition is progressive and can cause fatigue, breathlessness as well as coughing and rubbing of the toes and fingers. Untreated, it can lead to death.
Railroad workers are at high risk of developing lung diseases like asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, Emphysema, as well as COPD. They could also be exposed to asbestos fumes that are toxic and workplace materials along with diesel exhaust fumes. These toxic exposures can cause a variety of health issues, including mesothelioma, cancer and other.
By providing adequate protection for their respiratory systems, railroads could have slowed the development of lung diseases that can be fatal and debilitating. Failure to provide it is negligence under the Federal Employers Liability Act.
Other Exposures
There are other diseases that can lead to interstitial lung disease like rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing respiratory issues and pulmonary inflammation. If you work employed in a job that involves working in railway yards, you're exposed to numerous hazards such as chemical fumes, oil and chemicals. These exposures may cause silicosis, a condition that causes scarring of the lung similar to asbestosis. If the condition continues to worsen it could lead to right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale) because your heart has to be more active than usual in order to move blood through obstructed coronary arteries. This can ultimately cause respiratory failure and death.