Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers have always been at risk of developing occupational lung diseases, such as pulmonary and fibrosis. Before 2010, safety regulations rarely required crews wear protective masks. This exposed workers to exhaust fumes, as well as hazardous fumes from idle engines.
Asbestos, diesel exhaust, and other workplace hazards can trigger interstitial lung disease. The symptoms can take a long time to be apparent which makes it difficult to establish an immediate connection to be established between work-related history and the illness.
Asbestos
Asbestos is composed of naturally occurring minerals that are popular in the construction sector for their fire-resistant as well as their corrosion resistant and insulation properties. Exposure to these fibers increases the risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma, (a rare cancer that develops in the protective linings around organs) as well as asbestosis. The symptoms of asbestos-related ailments can take up to 30 years before they appear.
When asbestos is disturbed, fibers break down into tiny, elongated particles known as fibrils. These fibrils can be breathed in easily and swell up inside the lung. When they cause irritation, lungs form scar tissues that make breathing difficult. Exposure to high levels of asbestos from the air over a long period of time also increases the risk of developing mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive type of lung cancer that affects the lining of the lung.
Asbestos has been banned, however, railroad corporations continue to fight FELA claims brought by railroad workers and relatives because they knew asbestos was a risk. Asbestos has been banned, but railroad corporations often combat FELA claims made by railroad employees and their families due to the fact that they knew that the material could pose a risk to employees. This could be considered negligence and therefore, railroad employees and their families compensation. If you were a train worker in the past, call an Virginia railroad injury lawyer today for more information about filing an FELA claim.
Diesel Exhaust
Diesel engines have replaced coal as the main power source for trains in America since the 1940s. Prior to that trains burned coalwhich created harmful black soot which workers were exposed to on a regular basis.
Diesel exhaust fumes are a mixture with ultrafine and combustible gases. The chemical compounds in the gas component of diesel exhaust change into either a liquid or vapor, then get carried through the air as tiny particles. The lungs breathe in these particles, which then irritate the lung tissue over time.
When this happens, it can result in a long-term lung disease known as railroad worker's interstitial respiratory disorder (ILD). In addition, exposure for a long time to diesel exhaust may increase the risk of COPD.
The exhaust from diesel engines contains thousands of different chemicals including carbon monoxide nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. They also produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which can cause cancer. The particulate content of diesel exhaust is made up of fine particles that could irritate and inflame the lungs.
While there has been a substantial reduction in diesel pollution with the use of cleaner fuel and catalytic converters, toxic substances remain in the atmosphere. They can contribute to ground-level ozone that can cause breathing problems for people and cause damage to trees, crops, and the vegetation. They can also cause acid rain, which can destroy the water quality in rivers, lakes, and streams.
Smoking
Smoking cigarettes is a significant cause of several serious health problems. It impacts the lungs by harming the tiny air sacs, also known as alveoli, in the lungs. The lungs are damaged because of their ability to absorb oxygen, making breathing more difficult.
railroad settlement is a cause of scarring within the lungs, which prevents them from providing oxygen to the body. The condition is progressive, and can lead to breathing problems, fatigue, coughing and clubbing fingers and toes. Untreated, it can lead to death.
Railroad workers are at risk of being at risk of developing interstitial lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, Emphysema and COPD. They could also be exposed to asbestos-related toxic fumes and workplace materials, in addition to diesel exhaust fumes. These toxic exposures can cause mesothelioma or cancer in addition to other health conditions.
By ensuring adequate respiratory protection, railroad companies could have prevented the development of lung diseases that are fatal and debilitating. Failure to provide this protection is negligence under the Federal Employers Liability Act.
Other Exposures
There are other diseases that can lead to interstitial lung disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing respiratory problems and pulmonary inflammation. If you work in a profession that involves working in rail yards, you are exposed to various hazards, including the fumes, chemicals and oil. These exposures can cause silicosis which is a scarring of the lung that is similar to asbestosis. If the condition deteriorates, it may lead to right-sided cardiac failure (cor pulmonale), as your heart is forced to work harder to pump blood through blocked arterial. This can lead to respiratory failure, and even death.