Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung DiseaseLong-term railroad workers are at risk for occupational lung diseases, such as pulmonary thermolysis. Before 2010, safety regulations only rarely required crews wear protective masks. This exposed workers to exhaust fumes, as well as dangerous fumes from idling engines.Asbestos exposure along with diesel exhaust and other workplace hazards may cause interstitial pulmonary disease. It usually takes a long time for the symptoms to appear so it can be difficult to draw any direct link between the history of work and the illness.AsbestosAsbestos is a mixture of naturally occurring minerals which are widely used in the construction industry due to their fire-resistant as well as their corrosion resistant and insulation properties. Exposure to asbestos fibers increases the risk of mesothelioma, lung cancer, (a rare cancer that occurs in the protective linings of organs) as well as asbestosis. The signs of an asbestos-related illness typically take between 15 and 30 years to show.When asbestos fibers are agitated, they separate into small pieces that are elongated. These are known as fibrils. The fibrils can be inhaled easily and can be lodged deep within the lung. When they cause irritation the lungs form scar tissue that makes breathing difficult. Exposed to high levels airborne asbestos over long periods of time can also increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is rare and deadly form of lung cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.Asbestos has been banned but railroad corporations still fight FELA claims brought by railroad workers and their family members because they knew asbestos was a risk. An increasing amount of evidence suggests that many railroads knowingly exposed workers to asbestos even after they learned that asbestos was a cause of mesothelioma and other health problems. This could be considered to be negligence, which entitles railroad employees and their families to compensation. Contact an Virginia railroad injury attorney today to find out more about filing a FELA lawsuit if you have been on trains before.Diesel ExhaustSince the 1940s, diesel engines have been the main source of power for trains in America. Before that railroad back injury settlements used coal as fuelwhich created toxic black soot that people inhaled on a regular basis. railroad back injury settlements are a mixture with ultrafine and combustible gases. The chemicals present in the gas component of diesel exhaust change form into the form of vapor or liquid which is then transported through the air as tiny particles. The lungs breathe in these particles which cause irritation to lung tissue over time.This could result in a chronic lung disease known as railroad workers interstitial lung disease (ILD). Additionally, exposure to diesel exhaust could increase the risk of COPD.The smoke from diesel engines contains thousands of different chemicals, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. railroad back injury settlements produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which can cause cancer. The particulate portion of diesel exhaust is made up of fine particles, which can cause irritation and inflammation of the lungs.The toxins are still present in the air, even though diesel pollution has significantly decreased by the use of catalytic convertors and cleaner fuels. They can cause the formation of ground-level ozone, which can cause breathing problems for people as well as causes damage to trees, crops and plants. They can also trigger acid rain that destroys water quality in rivers, lakes, and streams.SmokingSmoking is the leading cause of a myriad of serious health issues. Smoking causes damage to the tiny air sacs that line the lungs, referred to as alveoli. This affects the lungs' ability to absorb oxygen, which makes breathing more difficult.The interstitial lung disorder pulmonary fibrosis can cause scarring in the lungs, which blocks them from supplying oxygen to the body. The condition is progressive and often causes shortness of breath, fatigue, coughing, and clubbing of the fingers and toes. If not treated, it may lead to death.Railroad workers are at an increased risk of developing lung diseases, such as asthma, pulmonary fibroids, Emphysema and COPD. In addition to the exhaust fumes from diesel engines, they may be exposed to toxic asbestos materials and fumes at their job. These exposures to toxic substances can cause a variety of health conditions, such as mesothelioma as well as cancer.In providing adequate respiratory protection, railroad companies could have prevented the development of lung diseases that can be debilitating and even deadly. Failure to provide it is negligence under the Federal Employers Liability Act.Other ExposuresThere are a variety of other conditions that could cause interstitial lung diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases. Certain medications may also increase the likelihood of developing pulmonary fibrosis and other respiratory ailments. You are exposed to many hazards, including oil, chemicals, and fumes, when you work in the rail yard. The exposures can cause silicosis, which is scarring of the lungs similar to asbestosis. If the condition gets worse it could lead to right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale) since your heart has to be more active than usual in order to pump blood through blocked blood vessels. This could cause respiratory failure and death.