Lung Cancer and Railroad Welding

Occasionally referred to as an “occupation of cumulative hazards,” welding can have serious effects on a person’s health. This especially true in the case of boilermakers, blacksmiths, and car men, all of whom perform welding on railroad cars and tracks. Sometimes performed in enclosed spaces, the danger from the fumes produces by electric arc welding cannot be understated.

Fusing metal at incredibly hot temperatures produces some poisonous fumes that threaten railroad welders with developing lung diseases and lung cancer. This problem is very real, and if you or someone you love is troubled by lung disease and has worked under these conditions, you need to get in touch with a Fayetteville workers’ compensation attorney. Call the law offices of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC, at 910-488-1600 today for more information on how we can help you.

Poison Gases

When welding takes place, both the metal itself and its coating, called flux, melt and release noxious fumes. These gases are often made up of the following:

• Aluminum
• Borates
• Silicates
• Iron
• Lead
• Zinc
• Cadmium
• Nickel
• Chromium
• Manganese
• Copper

Exposure to any of these in the course of welding could result in long-term pain and suffering. Depending on the exact materials that were used, the risk of cancer and disease will increase or decrease.

Contact Us

Lung disease and lung cancer are debilitating and expensive, and if you have developed either in the course of your work, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits to help you with your illness-related expenses. For more information, contact the Fayetteville workers’ compensation lawyers at Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC, by calling 910-488-1600 today.