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Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers have always been at risk of suffering occupational lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrisis. Before 2010, safety regulations only rarely required crews wear protective masks. This exposed workers to exhaust fumes as well as dangerous fumes emitted by idle engines.
Asbestos exposure along with diesel exhaust and other workplace hazards can cause interstitial pulmonary disease. It typically takes years for symptoms to show which makes it difficult to draw an immediate link between the work environment and illness.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a collection of naturally occurring minerals that are popular in the construction industry for its fire-resistant, corrosion-resistant and insulation properties. Exposure to these fibers can increase the risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma, (a rare cancer that develops within the protective linings surrounding organs) and asbestosis. The symptoms of asbestos-related ailments can take as long as 30 years before they appear.
When asbestos is disturbed, the fibers split into tiny, elongated pieces known as fibrils. The fibrils can be inhaled easily and can be lodged deep within the lungs. When they cause irritation, the lungs develop scar tissue that make breathing difficult. Inhaling high levels of asbestos that is in the air over long periods of time also increases the likelihood of developing mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.
Asbestos has been banned, but railroad corporations still fight FELA claims made by railroad employees and their relatives because they knew asbestos was a danger. A growing historical record suggests that many railroads knowingly exposed workers to asbestos even after they realized that the substance caused mesothelioma, among other health issues. This could be a case of negligence, which entitles railroad employees and their families to compensation. Call an Virginia railroad injury lawyer today to find out more about filing an FELA lawsuit if you've been involved in trains before.
Diesel Exhaust
Since the 1940s, diesel engines have been the primary source of power for trains in America. Before that trains burned coalthat produced toxic black soot that people breathed in on a regular basis.
Diesel exhaust fumes consist of a mix of combustible emissions and ultrafine particulates. The chemicals present in the gas portion of diesel exhaust change form into either a liquid or vapor, then get carried through the air as tiny particles. The lungs inhale these particulates which cause irritation to lung tissues over time.
This could lead to a chronic lung condition known as railroad workers interstitial lung diseases (ILD). Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust can increase the risk of COPD.
The exhaust from diesel engines contains a variety of chemicals that include carbon monoxide nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. They also produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which can cause cancer. The particulate portion of diesel exhaust is composed of fine particles that could cause irritation and inflammation of the lungs.
While there has been a significant reduction in diesel pollution due to the use of cleaner fuel and catalytic converters, toxins remain in the atmosphere. They can contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, which can cause breathing problems for people as well as can harm trees, crops and plants. They can also trigger acid rain, which can destroy water quality in lakes, streams and rivers.
Smoking
Smoking is a major cause of many serious health conditions. Smoking damages the tiny air sacs within the lungs called alveoli. This decreases the lungs' capacity to absorb oxygen, making breathing difficult.
The interstitial lung disorder pulmonary fibrosis is a cause of scarring within the lungs, preventing them from supplying oxygen to the body. The condition progresses, and can lead to breathing problems, fatigue and coughing. It can also cause a throbbing sensation in fingers and toes. stomach cancer caused by railroad how to get a settlement could lead to death if left untreated.
Railroad workers are at a higher risk of developing an interstitial lung disease, such as asthma, COPD, and emphysema. In addition to the exhaust fumes from diesel engines, they may also be exposed to toxic asbestos materials and fumes in their workplaces. These exposures to toxic substances can cause a variety of health issues, including mesothelioma as well as cancer.
Railroad companies could have prevented tens of thousands of rail workers from developing fatal and debilitating lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis if they had provided them with adequate respiratory protection. Failure to do so constitutes negligence under the Federal Employers Liability Act.
Other Exposures
Other conditions, such as autoimmune disease and rheumatoid arthritis can lead to interstitial pulmonary disease. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing respiratory problems and pulmonary fibrisis. If you are engaged in a career that involves working in rail yards, you're exposed to many hazards including oil, chemicals and fumes. These exposures can cause the condition silicosis, which causes the lung scarring that is similar to asbestosis. If the condition worsens it could lead to right-sided cardiac failure (cor pulmonale) in which your heart must work harder to pump blood through blocked blood vessels. This can eventually lead to respiratory failure and death.