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Emphysema and Other Lung Diseases Caused by Railroad Work

Emphysema, a chronic lung condition that may result from exposure to toxic substances, is a condition of the lungs. Railroad workers are especially susceptible to the disease due to the type of work they do on trains.

After an accident, Lincoln and Mosbrucker informed bnsf railway reactive airway disease bnsf railway chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that they were disabled permanently and partially due to medical issues. bnsf railway interstitial lung disease removed the two from their positions as Maintenance of Way ("MOW") workers.

Silica Sand

Silica is used in a range of manufactured products and construction materials. It is also used in abrasive blasting agents. Silica inhalation can cause lung damage. These tiny particles called respirable crystal silica could be 100 times smaller than a beach sand granule and easily penetrate the lungs to cause lung diseases. The symptoms of exposure might not show up until years after exposure. Silicosis can cause severe shortness in breath, and can even cause death. It also increases the chance of developing other lung diseases, such as tuberculosis, emphysema and lung cancer.

Railroad workers whose jobs involve manipulating and grooming railroad track rock (called ballast) are at high risk of exposure to silica. The rock is usually an igneous rock that has varying levels of crystalline silica.

The dust generated when this rock is blasted with machines that are heavy can result in high levels of airborne crystal silica. It can be as high as 26 times more than NIOSH RELs for respirable crystalline silica. It may also happen when concrete slabs are made to be drilled to accommodate dowel bars for highway and bnsf railway reactive airway disease runway repairs. Silicosis is not always identified however it can lead to serious and debilitating symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing weakness and weight loss. It can also cause pulmonary fibrosis that can make breathing difficult and painful.

Welding Fumes

The fusion of metals during welding can result in toxic fumes and gases that can lead to lung complications and illnesses. The fumes from welding can contain carbon dioxide (carbon dioxide), carbon monoxide (carbon monoxide) iron oxides, nitrogen, hydrogen fluoride and Phosgene. Inhaling these toxic fumes could cause emphysema and lung cancer and lead poisoning and damage to the nervous and brain systems.

The exact composition of welding fumes will depend on a variety of factors, including the parent plate, paints and coatings that are applied to metal that is being welded, shielding gasses and airborne pollutants, like degreasers and cleaners. Additionally the toxicity of fumes differ depending on the welding process being employed. welding on galvanized steel, for example, can cause exposure to toxic levels of zinc which causes an illness known as fume fever. Characterized by a flu-like symptoms, such as chills, fever as well as aches, weakness and an unpleasant metallic taste in the mouth the condition typically is not more than a day.

Ventilation techniques can control welding fumes. Local extraction is most efficient because it catches dangerous substances at the source before they reach the airway of the welder. It is recommended that these control measures are utilized in conjunction with the use of personal protective equipment, such as respirators and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Guidance on controlling exposure to welding fumes are available in HSE's Guidance Note EH40 "Workplace Exposure Limits'. These replaced occupational exposure limits (OELs) and occupational exposure standards (OESs) on April 6, 2005.

Diesel Exhaust

Diesel fuel has been used to power trains for more than 50 years. Railroad workers frequently breathe in the exhaust fumes and are at risk of developing lung diseases related to the exposure. A lot of these lung diseases are fatal, debilitating and permanent. Lung cancer, COPD emphysema, and mesothelioma are among the diseases that affect railroad workers who work in the field and are exposed to diesel exhaust fumes regularly.

Diesel exhaust is comprised of an assortment of hydrocarbons oxides and carbon monoxide. It is a mixture of chemicals that are known as harmful to the environment as well as the health of humans. These chemicals include:

Urea is among the most dangerous pollutants in diesel exhaust. Urea is a chemical that is made of nitrogen and water. When the catalytic convertor that urea is in is heated, it transforms into ammonia and isocyanic acids. Inhaling urea could cause irritation of the lungs, which can result in lung issues.

Studies have linked exposure to diesel exhaust to increased COPD mortality among railroad workers. These increases were evident even after smoking was considered. Train drivers were found to have a COPD mortality rate that was 2.5 percent higher than clerical workers who were not exposed.

Benzene

The chemical is used in the manufacture of a variety of different products, including plastics, paints, detergents and rubbers. The chemical is clear liquid that is vaporized quickly. It is a by-product of volcanic eruptions and forest fires, and a component of gasoline and crude oil. Benzene exposure is common in the bnsf railway all environment, as workers come into contact with diesel locomotive exhaust, wood tie treatment chemicals and solvents that contain benzene.

Long-term exposure to benzene has been proven to cause blood and bone marrow cancers, such as myelodysplastic Syndrome, acute myeloidleukemia, and myeloma. It can also lead to low numbers of red blood cells which can lead to fatigue and weakness. It also reduces the amount of white blood cells, which leads to a weakening of the immune system. Exposure to benzene may also affect the reproductive system, causing issues in the menstrual cycle as well as infertility.

You could be entitled compensation if you are employed by a railroad company and have been diagnosed as having mesothelioma, or a different form of cancer. Railroad companies that failed to ensure a safe working environment for their employees could be held accountable under a special law that was passed more than 100 years ago. Contact us today to learn more about the legal options available to you.