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10 Things That Your Family Teach You About Railroad Settlement Aplastic Anemia
Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung Disease

Railroad workers have always been in danger of contracting occupational lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibrisis. Prior to 2010, safety regulations seldom required workers to wear masks that protected them from injury that exposed workers to exhaust fumes as well as hazardous fumes from idle work engines.

Asbestos exposure as well as diesel exhaust and other hazards at work can cause interstitial pulmonary disease. It usually takes a long time for the symptoms to appear and it is difficult to make a direct connection between work-related health and illness.


Asbestos

Asbestos is made up of naturally occurring minerals that are widely used in the construction industry because of their fire retardant, corrosion resistant and insulation properties. The exposure to asbestos fibers can increase the risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer (a rare cancer that occurs in the protective linings around organs), and asbestosis. Symptoms of an asbestos-related disease typically take 15 to 30 years to show up.

When asbestos fibers are disturbed, they separate into small, elongated particles known as fibrils. These can be easily breathed in and subsequently lodged deep into the lung. If they cause irritation, lungs produce scar tissue that makes breathing difficult. Long-term exposure to high levels asbestos in the air can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. It is a rare and aggressive lung cancer that affects the lining the lungs.

Asbestos is now banned from use, but railroad corporations frequently fight FELA claims made by railroad workers and their families due to the fact that the companies knew that the material could be harmful to employees. A growing historical record suggests that many railroads had knowingly exposed workers to asbestos even after they learned that asbestos was a cause of mesothelioma and other health problems. This could be a case of negligence and therefore, railroad employees and their families compensation. If you were a train worker in the past, call a Virginia railroad injury lawyer today to learn more about filing an FELA claim.

Diesel Exhaust

Since the 1940s, the diesel engine has been the main source of power for trains in America. Before that, trains burned coal -- which produced toxic black soot that workers inhaled on a regular basis.

Diesel exhaust fumes are a mix of with ultrafine and combustible gases. The chemicals in the gas portion of diesel exhaust change form into a liquid or vapor form which is then transported through the air as tiny particles. These particulates are inhaled by the lungs, causing irritation to lung tissues over time.

If this happens, it can lead to a chronic lung disease called railroad worker's interstitial respiratory disorder (ILD). Long-term exposure of diesel exhaust can increase the risk of COPD.

The exhaust from diesel engines contains a variety of chemicals, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. They also produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are carcinogenic. The particulate component of diesel exhaust is composed of fine particles that can irritate and inflame the lungs.

The toxins remain in the air even though diesel pollution has been drastically reduced through the use of clean fuels and catalytic convertors. They can cause the formation of ozone at ground level, which causes breathing problems in people and affects trees, crops, and vegetation. They can also trigger acid rain, which can destroy the quality of water in lakes, streams and rivers.

Smoking

Smoking is the primary cause of a variety of serious health issues. Smoking causes damage to the tiny air sacs that line the lungs, known as alveoli. This reduces the lungs' capacity to take in oxygen, making breathing more difficult.

Pulmonary fibrosis is an interstitial lung condition characterized by scarring of the lung, which stops the lungs from providing oxygen to the rest of the body. The condition is progressive and can cause shortness of breath, fatigue and coughing. It can also cause a throbbing sensation in fingers and toes. If not treated, it could cause death.

Railroad workers are at a high risk of developing interstitial lung diseases such as asthma, pulmonary fibroids, Emphysema and COPD. They may also be exposed to toxic asbestos fumes and other workplace-related materials and diesel exhaust fumes. The toxic exposures could lead to cancer and mesothelioma in addition to other health conditions.

Railroad companies could have prevented tens of thousands of rail workers from developing fatal and debilitating lung diseases like pulmonary fibrosis, by providing them with adequate respiratory protection. Mesothelioma settlement to provide this protection is a breach of the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

Other Exposures

Other conditions, like the autoimmune disease rheumatoid and rheumatoi can also trigger interstitial pulmonary disease. Certain medicines can increase the chances of developing respiratory problems and pulmonary inflammation. You are exposed to a variety of dangers, including oil, chemicals, and fumes if you work in a rail yard. These exposures can trigger silicosis, which is the lung scarring that is similar to asbestosis. If the condition becomes worse it could result in right-sided cardiac failure (cor pulmonale) due to the fact that your heart is forced to be more efficient in pumping blood through blocked arteries. This could result in respiratory failure and even death.

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