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railroad knee injury settlements - Interstitial Lung Disease

Railroad workers who work for long periods are more susceptible to occupational lung diseases like pulmonary and fibrosis. Before 2010, safety regulations rarely required workers to wear protective masks. Workers were exposed to exhaust fumes as well as dangerous fumes emitted by idle engines.

Asbestos exposure as well as diesel exhaust and other workplace hazards can result in interstitial pulmonary disease. The symptoms can take decades to appear which makes it difficult to establish an immediate connection to be made between work history and the illness.

Asbestos

Asbestos consists of naturally occurring minerals popular in the construction industry for its fire retardant and insulation properties. It also resists corrosion. Exposure to asbestos fibers increases the risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma, (a rare cancer that occurs in the protective linings of organs) as well as asbestosis. The symptoms of asbestos-related ailments can take as long as 30 years before they appear.

When asbestos fibers are agitated they break into tiny particles that are elongated, known as fibrils. These can be easily inhaled and then lodged deep inside the lungs. When they cause irritation, the lungs produce scar tissue that makes breathing difficult. In the long run, exposure to high levels of asbestos in the air increases the chance of developing mesothelioma. This is a rare and aggressive lung cancer that affects the lining the lungs.

Asbestos has been banned however, railroad corporations continue to fight FELA claims made by railroad employees and their family members because they knew the material was dangerous. A growing historical record suggests that many railroads had knowingly exposed workers to asbestos, even after they had learned that asbestos could cause mesothelioma and other illnesses. This could be a form of negligence which is what entitles railroad workers and their families compensation. If you were a train worker in the past, contact a Virginia railroad injury lawyer today for more information about filing an FELA claim.

Diesel Exhaust

The diesel engine has replaced coal as the primary power source for trains in America since the 1940s. Before that, trains used coal to produce toxic black soot, which workers took in regularly.

Diesel exhaust fumes comprise with ultrafine and combustible gases. The chemicals in diesel exhaust gas change from a gaseous type to a liquid, vapor or tiny particles. The lungs inhale these particulates which cause irritation to lung tissue over time.

If this happens, it may cause a chronic lung condition known as railroad worker's interstitial lung disease (ILD). Long-term exposure of diesel exhaust can increase the risk of COPD.

Diesel engine exhaust contains many different chemicals, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. They also produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are carcinogenic. The particulate portion of diesel exhaust is comprised of fine particles, which can cause irritation and irritation to the lungs.

Although there has been a substantial reduction in diesel pollution due to the use of cleaner fuels and catalytic converters, the contaminants remain in the air. They can cause the formation of ozone at ground level, which can cause breathing problems for humans and damage crops, trees, and plants. They can also trigger acid rain, which damages the quality of water in rivers, lakes, and streams.

Smoking

Smoking is the primary cause of a variety of serious health conditions. It impacts the lungs by damaging the tiny air sacs, known as alveoli, inside the lungs. This decreases the lungs' capacity to absorb oxygen, making breathing more difficult.

Pulmonary fibrosis is an interstitial lung condition that is characterized by scarring of the lungs which prevents the lungs from providing oxygen to the rest of the body. The condition is progressive, and can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath, coughing and clubbing fingers and toes. It can cause death if untreated.

Railroad workers are at an increased risk of developing lung diseases like asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, Emphysema, and COPD. In addition to the exhaust fumes from diesel engines, they could also be exposed toxic asbestos substances and fumes at their work. These exposures to toxic substances can cause a range of health conditions, such as mesothelioma and cancer.

Railroad companies could have prevented tens of thousands of rail workers from developing fatal and debilitating lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis by providing them with adequate respiratory protection. Failure to provide this protection is negligence under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

Other Exposures

Other conditions, like the autoimmune disease rheumatoid and rheumatoi, can also lead to interstitial pulmonary disease. Certain medications can increase the likelihood of developing respiratory problems and pulmonary fibrosis. You are exposed hazards, such as oil, chemicals, and fumes, especially if you work in a rail yard. These exposures can lead to silicosis, which is lung scarring similar to asbestosis. If the condition continues to worsen it can lead to right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale) because your heart has to work harder than usual to move blood through obstructed coronary arteries. This can ultimately cause respiratory failure and death.