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Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers who work for long periods are more susceptible to occupational lung diseases such as pulmonary and fibrosis. Before 2010, safety regulations seldom required that workers wear protective masks. Workers were exposed to exhaust fumes, as well as hazardous fumes from idle engines.
Asbestos exposure, diesel exhaust and many other workplace hazards can result in interstitial pulmonary disease. The symptoms can take many years to appear and it is difficult to establish to establish a direct link established between work history and health issues.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a collection of naturally occurring minerals that are used in the construction industry due to its 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 forms in the protective linings of organs) and asbestosis (scarring of the lungs). The signs of asbestos-related illnesses may take up to 30 years to show up.
When asbestos fibers are disturbed they split into small, elongated particles known as fibrils. They can easily be inhaled and then lodged deep inside the lungs. If they cause irritation, lungs produce scar tissue that makes breathing difficult. In the long run, exposure to high levels of airborne asbestos increases the risk of developing mesothelioma. It is a rare, aggressive lung cancer that affects the lining the lungs.
Asbestos has been banned from use, but railroad companies frequently challenge FELA claims made by railroad employees and their families since they knew that the material could pose a risk to employees. An increasing amount of evidence suggests that many railroads knowingly exposed workers to asbestos even after they learned that asbestos caused mesothelioma as well as other health problems. This could be a form of negligence which is what entitles railroad workers and their families to compensation. Contact a Virginia railroad injury attorney today to learn more about filing a FELA lawsuit if you have worked on trains in the past.
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Since the 1940s the diesel engine has been the main source of power for trains in America. Before that, trains used coal to produce toxic black soot that people breathed in regularly.
Diesel exhaust fumes comprise a mix of combustible emissions and ultrafine particulates. The chemicals found in diesel exhaust gas change from a gaseous form to liquid, vapor, or tiny particles. The lungs inhale these particulates and then cause irritation to the lung tissues over time.
When this happens, it could cause a chronic lung condition known as railroad worker's interstitial respiratory disorder (ILD). In addition, exposure for a long time to diesel exhaust could increase the risk of COPD.
The smoke from diesel engines contains a variety of chemicals including carbon monoxide sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. They also produce polycyclic Hydrocarbons, which can cause cancer. Fine particles in diesel exhaust can irritate lungs and cause inflammation.
Although there has been a substantial reduction in the pollution from diesel through the use of cleaner fuels and catalytic converters, toxic substances remain in the atmosphere. They can cause the formation of ozone at ground level, which causes breathing problems in people and causes damage to trees, crops and other vegetation. They also can cause acid rain, which destroys the water quality of rivers, lakes, and streams.
Smoking
Smoking is the primary cause of numerous serious health issues. Smoking causes damage to the small air sacs inside the lungs, known as alveoli. The lungs are less able to absorb oxygen. capacity to absorb oxygen, making breathing more difficult.
Pulmonary fibrosis is an interstitial lung disease caused by scarring of lung that prevents the lungs from providing oxygen to the rest of the body. The condition is progressive and can cause shortness of breathe, fatigue as well as coughing, sneezing, and rubbing fingers and toes. Untreated, it can cause death.
Railroad workers are at high risk of developing lung diseases like asthma, pulmonary fibrosis Emphysema, as well as COPD. In addition to the exhaust fumes from diesel engines, they may also be exposed to toxic asbestos fumes and asbestos materials at their workplace. These exposures to toxic substances can cause mesothelioma or cancer in addition to other health conditions.
In providing adequate protection for their respiratory systems, railroads could have prevented the development of lung diseases that can be debilitating and even deadly. Failure to provide it is negligence under the Federal Employers Liability Act.
Other Exposures
There are many other conditions that can cause interstitial lung diseases such as rheumatoid joint and autoimmune diseases. Certain medications may also increase the likelihood of developing pulmonary fibrosis as well as other respiratory conditions. If you are engaged in a career that involves working in railway yards, you're exposed to various hazards, including chemical fumes, oil and chemicals. These exposures can lead to silicosis, a condition that causes lung scarring that is similar to asbestosis. If the condition worsens it could result in right-sided cardiac failure (cor pulmonale) in which your heart will have to be more efficient in pumping blood through blocked arterial. This could lead to respiratory failure and even death.