Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung DiseaseRailroad workers have for a long time been at risk of contracting occupational lung diseases such as pulmonary and fibrosis. Prior to 2010, safety regulations rarely required crews to wear protective masks which exposed workers to exhaust fumes and dangerous fumes from idling work engines.Asbestos as well as diesel exhaust, and other workplace hazards can trigger interstitial lung disease. The symptoms can take decades to be apparent making it difficult to establish an exact link to be established between work history and the illness.AsbestosAsbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that are used in the construction industry due to its fire-resistant and insulation properties. It also resists corrosion. Exposure to these fibers increases the risk of mesothelioma, lung cancer, (a rare cancer that develops in the linings that protect organs) as well as asbestosis. The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically take 15 to 30 years to show.When railroad injury settlement amounts are agitated, they separate into small particles that are elongated, known as fibrils. They can be easily inhaled and lodge deep within the lung. When they cause irritation the lungs create scar tissue which makes breathing difficult. Exposure to long-term high levels of asbestos in the air can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. This is a rare, invasive lung cancer that affects lining the lungs.Asbestos is now banned, but railroad companies still fight FELA claims brought by railroad workers and their family members, despite knowing asbestos was a risk. Asbestos has been banned, but railroad companies frequently fight FELA claims made by railroad employees and their families since they knew that the material could be harmful to employees. railroad injury settlement amounts could be considered to be negligence that entitles railroad workers and their families to compensation. Contact a Virginia railroad injury lawyer today to learn more about filing a FELA lawsuit if you have worked on trains in the past.Diesel ExhaustDiesel engines have replaced coal as the main power source for trains in America since the 1940s. Before then, trains used coal to produce toxic black soot, which workers inhaled regularly.Diesel exhaust fumes comprise an assortment of combustible gasses and ultrafine particulates. The chemicals present in diesel exhaust gas change from a gaseous type to a liquid, vapor or tiny particles. These particles are absorbed by the lungs, causing irritation of lung tissues over time.This can lead to a lung condition that is chronically known as railroad workers interstitial lung diseases (ILD). In addition, exposure for a long time to diesel exhaust could increase the risk of COPD. railroad lawsuit settlements from diesel engines has a myriad of different chemicals which include carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. They also produce polycyclic Hydrocarbons, which can cause cancer. Fine particles in diesel exhaust can irritate lung and cause inflammation.While there has been railroad lawsuit settlements in the pollution from diesel through the use of cleaner fuel and catalytic converters, the toxic substances remain in the atmosphere. They can cause the formation of ozone at ground level, which can cause breathing problems for humans and damage crops, trees, and the vegetation. They also can cause acid rain, which destroys the water quality in rivers, streams and lakes.SmokingSmoking is the main cause of a myriad of serious health issues. It harms the lungs due to harming the tiny air sacs known as alveoli, inside the lungs. The lungs are less able to absorb oxygen. capacity to absorb oxygen, making breathing more difficult.Pulmonary fibrosis is an interstitial lung condition that is characterized by scarring of the lungs which prevents the lungs from supplying oxygen to the rest of the body. The condition progresses and is often accompanied by shortness of breath, fatigue as well as coughing and rubbing of the fingers and toes. It could lead to death if untreated.Railroad workers are at risk of being at risk of developing interstitial lung diseases like asthma, pulmonary fibroids, emphysema, and COPD. In addition to the exhaust fumes from diesel engines, they may also be exposed to toxic asbestos fumes and asbestos materials in their workplaces. These toxic exposures can lead to a number of health conditions, including mesothelioma, cancer and other.In providing adequate respiratory protection, railroad companies could have slowed the development of lung diseases that can be fatal and debilitating. Failure to provide this protection is negligence under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).Other ExposuresOther conditions, such as the autoimmune disease rheumatoid and rheumatoi, can also lead to interstitial pulmonary disease. Certain medicines can increase the chances of developing respiratory issues and pulmonary fibrosis. If you are employed in a job that involves working in rail yards, you're exposed to various hazards, including oil, chemicals and fumes. These exposures can cause silicosis which is a scarring of the lung, similar to asbestosis. If the condition progresses it can lead to right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale) as your heart must be more active than usual in order to pump blood through blocked arteries. This can ultimately cause respiratory failure and even death.