Railroad Settlement For EmphysemaEmphysema can be a result of years of exposure to toxic fumes and gases. Our FELA firm helps them with filing occupational disease claims.Emphysema victims often rely on the compensation of an agreement with railroads to cover medical, surgical and therapeutic expenses associated with their condition. This lung disease can be caused by a variety of particles inhaled, including diesel exhaust, silica sand, and asbestos.Silica SandSilica is found in earth's crust as tiny grains. It is made of silicon dioxide (SiO2) that has unique crystal structure that gives it hardness and other properties. It is used in construction.Inhaling silica dust may cause silicosis. This is an occupational lung disease that can lead the death of the lung. Small particles of silicon can enter the lungs and cause inflammation and scarring. As time passes, fibrosis develops around the silica particles, and the lungs become permanently scarred. This could result in lung cancer, emphysema and bronchitis.Rail workers are exposed in different ways to crystalline silicon including by hammering and drilling rock containing silica, performing abrasive blasting and working with concrete or the masonry materials. Other sources of crystalline silica include rice hulls and sand, and other plant tissues containing silica and certain types of paints.The smallest silica particles are breathed deep into the lungs, where they cause damage. As a result, the railroads should make sure that employees are protected from exposure to silica, including limiting time in areas that contain significant airborne sand. Railroads should also be sure to provide sandless shoes and mouthpieces for employees working with equipment that creates airborne sand. Trains should also be equipped with filters to stop the entry of sand into the cab.Welding FumesWhen you think of welding, the picture is likely of an experienced welder, surrounded by glittering sparks and graceful curling fume. When you consider the effects of these fumes, this romantic image is quickly destroyed.The fume from welding is a toxic mixture of metal particles chemicals and gases. This mix of elements can cause health problems for welders, both in short-term and long-term exposure. The exact makeup of welding fumes depends on a variety of factors, including the type of metal to be welded as well as the coatings and paint on the metal, and the gas used to shield it.Whatever the composition of the welding fumes, a common consequence for the welder can be metal fume fever, characterized by flu-like symptoms, such as chills, fatigue and pain. The symptoms can are also accompanied by a metallic taste in your mouth and general feeling of being unwell.The risk of exposure to welding fumes may be reduced by a variety of control measures, such as local exhaust ventilators (LEV), respiratory protection equipment, and mechanical general ventilation. It is essential to keep in mind that these measures should only be used as a last-resort. Where welding fume levels cannot be controlled by these methods then it is recommended that a COSHH assessment should be carried out to identify the appropriate controls. This involves estimating the exposure and determining the steps required to reduce it, if prevention is not reasonable.Diesel ExhaustIn recent years, there has been a rise in the use of "cleaner" engines for trucks and other vehicle types. wayne and mary union pacific railroad settlement who work in the fields of agriculture and construction as well as other sectors which rely on large equipment that burns fuel, are still exposed to the dangerous fumes. These fumes contain hundreds of harmful chemicals which can cause harm to the skin as well as the lungs and internal organs.Railroad employees who operate trains are frequently exposed to diesel exhaust fumes from locomotives while they travel down the track or back in the engine cab. These harmful fumes can be breathed in by railroad shop workers, who could be required to stay in a locomotive while it's in the shop.Diesel exhaust from diesel engines contains gasoline that has not been burned and toxic chemicals. These chemicals comprise particulate (soot), nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and volatile organic compounds. Breathing in high levels of these contaminants can result in respiratory symptoms such as coughing and irritation in the throat and nose, and shortness of breathe. It may also cause a buildup in the lungs.Studies have shown that diesel exhaust may increase the risk for lung cancer in humans. The International Agency for Research on Cancer which is part of the World Health Organization, has classified diesel exhaust as carcinogenic to human beings.AsbestosAsbestos was a once-common material in the railroad industry. It was strong, corrosion-resistant and a superb insulator. It was simple to install and inexpensive to manufacture. Asbestos has unfortunately been linked to lung cancer as well as many other diseases. The mesothelioma lawyers of Simmons Hanly Conroy understand the impact of asbestos exposure on railroad workers' lives and health. We help railroad workers who have been injured and file FELA suits to receive the financial compensation they deserve for their illness.Railroad workers are at a greater chance of contracting mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases, and other illnesses than the general workforce. This is particularly the case for those who worked before 1950, when trains switched from steam engines to diesel. These older workers may have been exposed to asbestos while they were building or repairing rail ties, rail cars and locomotives that were made with asbestos. It is a dangerous material.Many railroad workers who were exposed to asbestos or mesothelioma did not realize the condition until decades afterward. If you suffer from a respiratory disease such as COPD lung carcinoma, COPD, or mesothelioma linked to your railroad work, it is vital that you seek out an attorney for mesothelioma immediately.