Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers have for a long time been at risk of suffering occupational lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis. Prior to 2010, safety guidelines seldom required workers to wear protective masks and exposed workers to exhaust fumes and dangerous fumes from idling work engines.
Asbestos, diesel exhaust and other workplace hazards can trigger interstitial lung disease. The symptoms can take many years to manifest making it difficult to establish to establish a direct link established between work-related history and health issues.
Asbestos
Asbestos is one of the naturally occurring minerals popular in the construction industry for its fire retardant and insulation properties. It also resists corrosion. Exposure to asbestos fibers increases the risk of mesothelioma, lung cancer, (a rare cancer that occurs in the protective linings around organs) and asbestosis. union pacific settlements of an asbestos-related disease typically take between 15 and 30 years to show.
When asbestos fibers are agitated they break into tiny, elongated particles known as fibrils. These fibrils can be inhaled easily and lodge deep inside the lungs. If they cause irritation, lungs produce scar tissue, which makes breathing difficult. The exposure to high levels of airborne asbestos over 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 banned, however, railroad companies continue to fight FELA claims made by railroad workers and family members, despite knowing the material was dangerous. A growing historical record suggests that many railroads had knowingly exposed workers to asbestos even after they learned that the substance caused mesothelioma, among other health issues. This could be a form of negligence and therefore, railroad employees and their families to compensation. If you have worked on trains in the past, call a Virginia railroad injury lawyer today to learn more about filing a FELA claim.
Diesel Exhaust
Since the 1940s, diesel engines have been the primary source of power for trains in America. Prior to that trains ran on coal- which produced toxic black soot that people breathed in on a regular basis.
Diesel exhaust fumes comprise combustible gasses and ultrafine particles. The chemicals in the gas portion of diesel exhaust change form into either a liquid or vapor and are then carried through the air as tiny particles. These particles are breathed in through the lungs, causing irritation of lung tissues over time.
This can result in a lung condition that is chronically known as railroad workers' interstitial lung disease (ILD). Long-term exposure of diesel exhaust could also increase the risk of developing COPD.
The smoke from diesel engines has a myriad of different chemicals that include carbon monoxide sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. They also produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which can cause cancer. The particulate component of diesel exhaust is made up of fine particles that could cause irritation and inflammation to the lungs.
While there has been a substantial reduction in diesel pollution due to the use of cleaner fuels and catalytic converters, toxins remain in the atmosphere. They can contribute to ground level ozone which can cause breathing problems for people and cause damage to trees, crops, and the vegetation. They also can cause acid rain that destroys the water quality in streams, lakes and rivers.
Smoking
Smoking is the primary cause of several serious health conditions. Smoking damages the tiny air sacs within the lungs, called alveoli. This damages the lungs' ability to absorb oxygen, making breathing more difficult.
Pulmonary fibrosis is an interstitial pulmonary disease caused by scarring of lungs which prevents the lungs from supplying oxygen to the rest of the body. The condition is progressive and is often accompanied by fatigue, breathlessness, coughing, and clubbing of the toes and fingers. If left untreated, it can lead to death.
Railroad workers are at an increased risk of developing lung diseases, such as asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, and COPD. They may also be exposed to asbestos-related toxic fumes and other materials in their workplace, in addition to diesel exhaust fumes. These toxic exposures can cause mesothelioma or cancer and other health issues.
Railroad companies could have prevented the tens of thousands or so of rail workers from developing debilitating and deadly lung diseases like pulmonary fibrosis, by providing them with the proper respiratory protection. Failure to do so is a breach of the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
Other Exposures
Other conditions, like autoimmune diseases and rheumatoid arthritis can also trigger interstitial pulmonary disease. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing respiratory problems and pulmonary inflammation. If you are employed in a job that involves working in railroad yards, you're exposed to numerous hazards such as fumes, chemicals, and oil. These exposures can cause silicosis, which is lung scarring that is similar to asbestosis. If the condition progresses it can cause right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale) because your heart has to perform more than usual to pump blood through blocked blood vessels. This can lead to respiratory failure and possibly death.