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Railroad Asthma

If you are an employee of a railroad who suffers from debilitating asthma resulting from decades of exposure to diesel exhaust fumes, then your employer could be liable under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). A FELA lawyer can help find your company accountable.

The results of research have demonstrated that the toxins that result from transportation activities may cause adverse health effects. This study examined the relationship with the distance between a residential area and a major railyard and adverse respiratory symptoms and visits to emergency rooms.

Diesel Exhaust

There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that prolonged exposure to diesel exhaust fumes may cause lung disorders called "diesel asthma." Some research shows that it can also increase the risk of lung cancer in railroad workers.

Diesel exhaust is a combination of gases and soot. Diesel exhaust can be generated from a variety of sources, such as diesel-powered cars trucks, trains and buses. It is made up of hundreds of compounds, including many known carcinogens. These compounds include sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and benzene. They can cause irritation to your throat, eyes, and lungs, as well as fatigue, headaches, and nausea. Exposure to these chemicals may also affect your cardiovascular system and lungs by causing inflammation, congestion, bronchitis, emphysema and pneumonia.

Carbon monoxide that is present in diesel exhaust can cause your organs to malfunction, or even end up dying. Nitrogen oxides can also irritate your nose, Railroad Asthma throat and the lungs.

Talk to an New York workers compensation lawyer at Napoli Schkolnik PLLC, if you suffer from asthma symptoms that are related to diesel exhaust as soon as you can. We can assist you in pursuing the benefits from workers' compensation you're entitled to. We will hold your employer accountable for any damage you may incur due to your breathing issues related to work. Contact us today to begin.

Dust

Airborne dust is caused by various types of materials and can make it difficult to breathe. It could contain mineral particles like asbestos, silica, or crystalline quartz; organic dusts that include cedar and other wood particles, isocyanates and epoxies; cleaning substances flour, agricultural hop dust; metals, such as nickel sulfate or chromium; animal-derived substances like proteins found in dander, fur, or saliva; and synthetic chemicals such as pesticides, plasticizers, solvents and additives to fuels.

Although dust exposure can cause respiratory issues, it hasn't been shown to cause asthma. However, research has demonstrated an association between occupational inhalation and the development of new-onset occupational asthma. These studies use a combination of symptoms, pulmonary functions tests, and bronchial reactivity to methacholine.

Certain railroad workers suffer from asthma caused by diesel fumes. A lawyer for railroad workers may help you obtain compensation from your employer if been diagnosed as having this lung condition. You could be able to collect damages under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). Contact a knowledgeable lawyer today to discuss what they can do to help. The earlier you speak to an attorney for railroad asthma, the sooner your case can be analyzed. You may be entitled to substantial monetary compensation.

Indoor Air Pollution

The air pollution in urban areas is typically caused by ground-level ozone and particulate matter (PM2.5). These particles are small enough to be breathed deep into the lungs which allows them to evade the lung's natural defenses. In time, PM2.5 particles have been linked to many health problems - from asthma attacks and bronchitis to hospital visits because of lung and heart problems, to even death.

If pollutants build up in buildings, indoor air pollution occurs. This can be due to many things, including a lack of ventilation and high temperatures, as well as the presence of allergens or toxic chemicals. About 3 billion people use solid fuels for cooking and heating their homes. This is a major cause of pollutant emissions from biomass combustion. The amount of outdoor air that is pumped into the house can also affect the quality of the indoor air. The air can be diluted by indoor pollutants and move them out.

Asthma and allergy symptoms can be triggered by indoor pollutants such as bacteria, molds, cat saliva, dust mites and animal dander. Infections caused by viruses can also be fatal such as measles or influenza.

Smoke

Smoke from trains, engines and other railroad equipment may transport chemicals, gases and particles. These pollutants are blown into nearby areas through wind shifts. These harmful fumes can be inhaled by train employees like brakemen and switchmen.

Diesel exhaust is the most frequent cause of asthma in railroads. A number of studies have shown that railroad workers who are exposed to diesel exhaust have higher levels of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) mortality even after adjusting smoking exposure. These increased COPD mortality rates were observed even after adjusting for smoking and railroad asthma increased with the length of railroad work in diesel-related positions.

Longitudinal studies on the epidemiology of workers have also shown that repeated exposures to inhalation at a high level can trigger asthma. Tarlo and Broder 10 reported on ten individuals who developed asthma after an exposure of at least one to various irritant compounds. These phenotypes are different from acute-onset IIA due to the time between high-level exposure and beginning of symptoms.

In some cases railroad workers who suffer from asthma or other pulmonary disorders are unable to work in their old jobs and have to look for an alternative job or retraining. In other instances they may not be able to find a job. In these instances an experienced railroad attorney can assist to determine if a worker injured is qualified for FELA compensation.