Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers have been for a long time in danger of contracting occupational lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis. Prior to 2010, safety guidelines did not require workers to wear protective masks that exposed workers to exhaust fumes and harmful fumes emitted by idle work engines.
Asbestos exposure, diesel exhaust and many other workplace hazards may cause interstitial pulmonary disease. It usually takes a long time for the symptoms to appear which makes it difficult to establish an immediate link between the history of work and the disease.
Asbestos
Asbestos is composed of minerals that naturally occur and are widely used in the construction industry for their fire retardant and corrosion-resistant properties. Exposure to these microscopic fibers increases the risk of developing lung cancer mesothelioma (a rare form of cancer that grows in the linings of protective organs) and asbestosis (scarring of the lung). Symptoms of an asbestos-related disease typically take 15 to 30 years to show.
When asbestos fibers are disturbed they split into small fragments that are elongated and called fibrils. These fibrils can be inhaled easily and then lodged in the lungs. When they cause irritation, the lungs create scar tissue that makes breathing difficult. Exposure to long-term high levels of asbestos particles in the air increases the risk of developing mesothelioma. It is a rare and aggressive lung cancer that affects the lining the lungs.
Asbestos is now banned, but railroad companies still fight FELA claims brought by railroad workers and family members due to the fact that they knew the material was dangerous. An increasing number of historical records suggest that many railroads had knowingly exposed workers to asbestos, even after learning that asbestos caused mesothelioma as well as other health problems. This could constitute negligence that entitles railroad workers and their families to compensation. Call an Virginia railroad injury lawyer today to learn more about filing an FELA lawsuit if you have been involved in trains before.
Diesel Exhaust
The diesel engine has replaced coal as the main power source for trains in America since the 1940s. Prior to that trains burned coal- which produced harmful black soot which workers regularly breathed in.
Diesel exhaust fumes comprise the mixture of combustible gases and ultrafine particulates. The chemicals in the gas portion of diesel exhaust change into the form of vapor or liquid and then are carried through the air as tiny particles. The lungs inhale these particulates which then irritate lung tissues over time.
When this happens, it may lead to a chronic lung disease known as railroad worker's interstitial lung disease (ILD). In addition, long-term exposure to diesel exhaust can also increase the risk of COPD.
Diesel engine exhaust contains many different chemicals, including nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide. They also produce polycyclic hydrocarbons which are carcinogenic. Fine particles in diesel exhaust may cause irritation to the lung and cause inflammation.
While there has been a substantial reduction in the pollution from diesel through the use of cleaner fuel and catalytic converters, the toxins remain in the atmosphere. They can contribute to ground level ozone which can cause breathing problems for humans and harm trees, crops and the vegetation. They can also trigger acid rain, which harms the water quality of streams, lakes and rivers.
Smoking
Smoking is the main cause of many serious health problems. Smoking causes damage to the small air sacs within the lungs, known as alveoli. This affects the lungs' capacity to absorb oxygen, making breathing more difficult.
Pulmonary fibrosis is an interstitial pulmonary disease characterized by scarring of the lung, which stops the lungs from providing oxygen to the rest of the body. Multiple myeloma settlements is progressive and can cause fatigue, shortness of breath and coughing. It also causes a lot of pain in the fingers and toes. If left untreated, it can lead to death.
Railroad employees are at an increased risk of developing interstitial lung disease, such as asthma, COPD, and emphysema. In addition to the exhaust fumes from diesel engines, they could be exposed to toxic asbestos substances and fumes at their work. These toxic exposures could lead to a variety of health issues, including mesothelioma, cancer and other.
By providing adequate respiratory protection, railroad companies could have prevented the onset of lung diseases that are painful and can be fatal. Failure to do this is a breach of the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
Other Exposures
Other conditions, such as autoimmune disease and rheumatoid arthritis can lead to interstitial pulmonary disease. Certain medications can also increase the risk of developing pulmonary fibrosis as well as other respiratory conditions. If you are in a profession that involves working in railway yards, you're exposed to numerous hazards such as the fumes, chemicals and oil. These exposures can cause silicosis, a condition that causes scarring of the lung similar to asbestosis. If the condition gets worse it could lead to right-sided cardiac failure (cor pulmonale) because your heart is forced to perform harder to pump blood through blocked arteries. This could result in respiratory failure, or even death.