Frequently Asked Questions about Railroad Workers and Silicosis
What is silicosis? (back to FAQs)
Silicosis is scarring of the lung due to breathing silica (quartz) dust. Silicosis is one of the most common forms of pneumoconiosis (lung diseases caused by inhaling certain mineral dusts).
What railroad crafts are at risk due to exposure to silica (quartz) dust? (back to FAQs)
Maintenance of Way workers, especially those who regularly operate machinery such as ballast regulators, spenos, adzers, brooms, scarfires, tie tampers, undercutters, and related machinery are especially at risk for contracting silicosis and other related lung diseases.
Where is silica (quartz) dust found on the railroad? (back to FAQs)
Ballast, the rocks which are placed under rails and between railroad ties, are often granite and sometimes limestone. Granite contains high quantities of silica (quartz). As the ballast is manipulated during Maintenance of Way operations, dust is generated which is often inhaled by the nearby railroad workers.
Why should I be concerned about exposure to silica (quartz) dust? (back to FAQs)
There is no known effective treatment for silicosis. Silicosis is permanent, and several health organizations believe that it is a condition that may reduce life expectancy. Further, in 1987, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified crystalline silica as "probably carcinogenic to humans."
What are the most common symptoms of silicosis? (back to FAQs)
Early symptoms include shortness of breath and a dry cough. However, a person can have silicosis without any symptoms at all.
How are injuries from exposure to silica (quartz) dust discovered? (back to FAQs)
Exposure to silica (quartz) dust causes changes on a chest x-ray which can be evaluated by a doctor trained in diagnosing silica-caused diseases. Moody, Strople & Kloeppel, Inc. can assist you in arranging to have an x-ray taken and evaluated for silica-caused diseases.
How long does it take for silicosis to develop? (back to FAQs)
Silicosis is a latent disease, that is, it develops slowly over many years. Silica-caused diseases often do not appear for 10-15 years after a railroad worker’s exposure to silica (quartz) dust. However, once you have inhaled silica (quartz) dust, it cannot be removed from your lungs.
Can I be compensated even though I smoked? (back to FAQs)
Yes. Smoking does not cause silicosis. Only exposure to silica (quartz) dust causes silicosis. Disease caused by smoking and disease caused by silica can usually be distinguished by x-rays and breathing tests. Many railroad workers have the mistaken belief that because they smoked, they are prevented from recovering for silica-caused diseases. This is not true. People who were or are smokers are still entitled to receive compensation for the portion of their lung damage that was caused by silica exposure.
What can I do to find out if I have silicosis or a similar dust-related disease? (back to FAQs)
Simply leave a message at moodyrrlaw.com or call the Occupational Disease Division at 1-800-793-4816. Moody, Strople, Kloeppel & Higginbotham, Inc. will review your individual situation and arrange for a chest x-ray and pulmonary examination (if necessary) to evaluate your potential claim.
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