Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers have for a long time been at risk of developing occupational lung diseases like pulmonary thermocolitis. Before 2010, safety regulations seldom required that workers wear protective masks. Colon cancer lawsuit settlements exposed workers 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. It typically takes years for symptoms to show and it is difficult to establish a direct connection between the history of work and the disease.
Asbestos
Asbestos is composed of naturally occurring minerals that are well-known in the construction industry for their fire-resistant, corrosion resistant and insulation properties. The exposure to asbestos fibers can increase the risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer (a rare cancer that develops within the protective linings surrounding organs), and asbestosis. Symptoms of an asbestos-related disease typically take between 15 and 30 years to show up.
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 produce scar tissues that make breathing difficult. Exposed to high levels asbestos in the air for long periods of time also increases the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. It is a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.
Asbestos has been prohibited from use, but railroad corporations frequently fight FELA claims made by railroad employees and their families since they knew that the material could be harmful to their employees. Asbestos has been banned, however, railroad corporations frequently contest FELA claims filed 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 a case of negligence and therefore, railroad employees and their families compensation. If you've worked on trains in the past, call an Virginia railroad injury lawyer today for more details about filing a FELA claim.
Diesel Exhaust
Since the 1940s, diesel engines have been the main source of power for trains in America. Before that, trains burned coal -that produced toxic black soot that workers were exposed to on a regular basis.
Diesel exhaust fumes consist of combustible gasses and ultrafine particles. The chemicals found in diesel exhaust gas transform from a gaseous state to a liquid, vapor or tiny particles. These particles are absorbed by the lungs and cause irritation to lung tissue over time.
When this happens, it could result in a lung condition known as railroad worker's interstitial pulmonary disorder (ILD). Long-term exposure of diesel exhaust can also increase COPD risk.
Diesel engine smoke is made up of thousands of different chemicals including nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide. They also produce polycyclic hydrocarbons that can cause cancer. The particulate content of diesel exhaust is made up of fine particles which can cause irritation and inflammation of the lungs.
Although there has been a significant reduction in the pollution from diesel through the use of cleaner fuel and catalytic converters pollutants remain in the air. Multiple myeloma settlements can cause the formation of ozone at ground level, which can cause breathing problems for humans and affect trees, crops and vegetation. They also can cause acid rain, which affects the water quality of lakes, streams, and rivers.
Smoking
Smoking is the most significant cause of a variety of serious health conditions. It harms the lungs due to harming the tiny air sacs, known as alveoli in the lungs. This reduces the lungs' ability to absorb oxygen, making breathing more difficult.
Pulmonary fibrosis is an interstitial lung disorder caused by scarring of lung that prevents the lungs from providing oxygen to the rest of the body. The condition is progressive and can lead to shortness of breath, fatigue as well as coughing, sneezing, and rubbing fingers and toes. It can cause death if it is not treated.
Railroad employees are at an increased risk of developing lung diseases, including asthma, COPD, and emphysema. In addition to the exhaust fumes from diesel engines, they may be exposed to toxic asbestos substances and fumes at their work. These exposures to toxic substances can lead to a number of health conditions, including mesothelioma as well as cancer.
Railroad companies could have prevented tens of thousands of rail workers from developing debilitating, fatal lung diseases like the pulmonary fibrosis with adequate respiratory protection. Failure to provide this protection is negligence under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
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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 ailments. There are many hazards, including oil, chemicals, and fumes, when you work in a rail yard. These exposures can lead to silicosis, a condition that causes scarring of the lungs similar to asbestosis. If the condition gets worse, it can lead to right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale) because your heart has to be more active than usual in order to move blood through blocked coronary arteries. This can ultimately result in respiratory failure and death.