Boiler and Engine Room Workers and Asbestos Exposure
Boiler and engine room workers are among the people involved in the railroad industry that may have been unknowingly exposed to asbestos and, consequently, subjected to serious health problems like mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Boiler Room and Engine Room Workers are at a High Risk for Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma
The railroad industry has been regarded as one of the more hazardous working environments due to the high volume of confirmed asbestos exposures and resulting mesothelioma lawsuits. Asbestos-containing products in the engine and boiler rooms have the potential to release fibers and dust into the air when disturbed, which when inhaled can lead to a number of health problems including asbestosis and cancers such as mesothelioma, lung, esophageal, gastrointestinal, laryngeal, and pharyngeal. Unfortunately, many of these asbestos exposures could have been prevented if railroad workers, including boiler and engine room workers, had simply been given the proper training and safety equipment.
Asbestos Products in the Railroad Industry
Asbestos was used in the boiler room and engine room of locomotives primarily because of its resistance to heat and friction, but also for a resistance to electrical and chemical damage, sound absorption and tensile strength. Asbestos-containing insulation could be found in box-cars, cabooses and around various pipes. Asbestos was also used in refrigeration units, railroad brakes, clutches, gaskets, packing, rope, cement, and ceiling/floor tiles.
As with most occupational asbestos exposures, the on-site workers are not the only people at risk for asbestosis, mesothelioma, and the other health risks. Railroad workers often returned to their home covered in asbestos fibers putting both family and friends at risk.
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Were You Exposed to Asbestos Working as a Boiler Room or Engine Room Worker? Asbestos Attorneys May be Able to Help
It is recommended that people who have spent a significant period of time working in and around locomotive engine and boiler rooms get a full physical evaluation by a doctor. Mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure, may take up to 30-40 years to manifest. Like many other diseases, it is important to catch the disease in its early stages. At-risk workers should pay close attention to any mesothelioma symptoms which include fluid in the lungs, chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and fatigue.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and believe you were exposed to asbestos over the course of your railroad career, you may be entitled to a mesothelioma settlement from your former employer. To learn more about your legal options, please one of our asbestos attorneys for a free case evaluation.