COID Act

occupational diseases and injuries COID Act

Occupational Diseases - Is Your Job Killing You Slowly?

In the late 1970s, the nation learned to associate the name Love Canal with chemical pollution and environmental diseases. Many more people became familiar with the idea of environmental and occupational disease from the media - particularly the 2000 move, Erin Brockovich, starring Julia Roberts. Despite the focus on environmental illnesses, though, few people are aware of the hazards with their health that lurk in many workplaces.

Occupational diseases are more when compared to a blip around the national health scene. In 1976, a written report with the U.S. Congress reported that 100,000 people die of diseases and illnesses that started in their workplaces knowning that 390,000 individuals were informed they have occupational diseases annually. And though lots of people could inform you what mesothelioma is and the way it turned out due to exposure to asbestos at work, few of them appreciate how the actions of a few corporations endangered the health of a whole country. Even worse, people have any idea that these are being confronted with toxic chemicals and hazardous substances at work every day.

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos might well be the very best known toxic carcinogen encountered at work. Today, you'll find strict standards for safety and handling of asbestos, however for decades the asbestos industry hid its dangers from workers and also the average person. While the use of asbestos is greatly regulated now, there were much asbestos found in construction through 1979 a large number of workers encounter it operate regularly. Those prone to exposure include emergency responders, renovators, construction workers, demolition workers and maintenance workers in older buildings. Anyone who can come into connection with asbestos ought to be educated to recognize asbestos containing materials and in procedures on safe handling. Unfortunately, there has been many times when workers have been subjected to asbestos and asbestos containing materials without any training with no safety equipment. This is a violation with the law. Anyone who believes these folks were encountered with asbestos without correct training or safety precaution should make contact with a lawyer experienced with toxic tort cases for help out with getting justice.

Benzene

Benzene is an organic compound that is a known carcinogen. It has been used being an industrial solvent, and is also used in making rubber, in oil refineries and chemical plants, as well as in gasoline related industries. Those prone to benzene exposure include pesticides production, detergent production, solvent production, paint and varnish production, waste management, oil refineries, chemical plants, shoe manufacturers, and petroleum processing industries. Exposure to benzene has been implicated in numerous diseases with the blood, including acute myeloid leukemia, anemia and chromosomal abnormalities. OSHA strictly enforces workplace amounts of both long-term and short-term benzene exposure. Any employer who exceeds those levels is subject to fines and workers may be eligible for compensation for virtually any damages.

Beryllium 

Beryllium is definitely an inorganic compound produced by minerals. It is found in making lightweight metals, especially in the aerospace industry and the nuclear energy industry, along with other industries that use lightweight, strong metals. Beryllium exposure can cause carcinoma of the lung, pneumonia along with other lung diseases. However, in 1-15% with the population who will be sensitive to the substance, experience of beryllium could cause Chronic Beryllium Disease, chronic inflammation of the lung tissues that may eventually be fatal.

There are lots of other toxic substances used in industry, from industrial solvents and detergents to ingredients in plastics to paints and adhesives. Workers are not always told that they're being exposed to dangerous compounds. If you or perhaps a family member believes you might have been exposed to a toxic chemical in the office, an experienced toxic torts lawyer could be able to help learn the truth and obtain justice for your injuries.