asbestosis and silicosis
Wednesday, July 8th, 2009In the 1930s, a mining scandal in the Hawk's Nest, West Virginia hit the country, calling attention to the dangers of a mineral called crystalline silica industry. A construction company asked its workers to the mine ore using dynamite, but do not give them breathing masks to prevent inhalation of dust was thick. Nor told workers of the dangers of silica dust, which collected so heavily on your skin and clothes that followed her home at night. Only one year later, began to die of severe respiratory distress we now know was likely to silicosis, a disability and incurable lung disease.
The Falcon's Nest scandal led to a series of lawsuits and a new set strict safety standards in the work of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Have ventilation, protective equipment and limits the time a worker may be exposed to silica. From the Great Depression, the number of silicosis deaths U.S. has steadily declined, and personal injury suits related to the disease have decreased, ie until the time.
In the past four years, the number of silicosis-related lawsuits filed in the U.S. has soared. U.S. silica, one of the manufacturers country's largest industrial silica sand, reported a tenfold increase in personal injury suits against him, between June 2001 and June 2002. The state of Mississippi seen 76 new silicosis suits across the state in 2001 and in late 2004, that figure was over 20,000.
Part of that increase can be attributed a simple probability. Silica is the second most common mineral on Earth, found in hundreds of industrial materials such as concrete, cement, sand, paint and pavement. And despite the known danger of silicosis, which was identified in European stonemasons and in 1705, some employers still do not adequately protect their workers or warn them to avoid silica dust. OSHA reports that 1.7 million U.S. workers are exposed to silica dust each year, 250 of these workers die.
But another part of the increase in silicosis litigation has to do with its similarities to asbestos litigation. As silica, asbestos is an industrial mineral was once widespread in the construction and manufacturing, potentially exposing millions of Americans to a debilitating disease. As silica, asbestos can be inhaled, but not exhaled, causing lung scarring and crippling respiratory damage. The same industries and many of the same companies that participated in the manufacture and use of both minerals.
Unlike silica litigation, asbestos litigation has passed its peak, with many trials either completed or scheduled for a comprehensive, Fund together by Congress. With awareness of the dangers of silica dust that arises, asbestos lawyers offered their expertise to the silica litigation.
Like asbestosis and asbestos related diseases, silicosis is caused by the inability of the human body by breathing small particles that arrive to toxic levels with repeated exposure. Once the silica finds its way into the body, it lodges in the heart of a part of the lungs that can not be remove by coughing or mucous membranes.
Over time, this inflammation causes, scarring, and a buildup of tissue called pulmonary fibrosis – all of which leave the victim short of breath even after light exercise.
Other symptoms include fatigue, extremities turning blue, loss of appetite and a persistent cough. In severe cases, silicosis can weaken the heart and cause respiratory failure, leaving patients dependent on a ventilator. No cure. And because the Silicosis is caused only by occupational exposure, which is 100 percent preventable.
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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Silicosis Litigation on the Rise