Popcorn Lung and Maryland Workers’ Compensation
Anyone who works in a job that requires frequent exposure to certain materials or substances, and particularly those that are known to be carcinogenic, it is possible to develop a work-related illness or disease that may be compensable through the Maryland workers’ compensation system in the same way that an injury resulting from a traumatic work-related accident can be compensable. There are a very wide range of occupational diseases that exist — the National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines an occupational disease quite broadly as a medical condition or illness “that is caused, or made worse, by exposure at work.”
Although it is not among the most common types of occupational diseases that Maryland employees can develop, it is one without a cure that can be debilitating: popcorn lung, or bronchiolitis obliterans. What is this condition, and how can you seek compensation if you have been diagnosed? Consider the following information from our Maryland workers’ compensation lawyers.
Learning More About Popcorn Lung
What is popcorn lung, and how do workers develop it? According to the Cleveland Clinic, popcorn lung, which is also known by the medical name of bronchiolitis obliterans, “is a respiratory condition that affects your bronchioles,” and it can develop as a result of exposure to certain substances as well as individuals who have particular types of medical procedures. It has been linked to people with rheumatoid arthritis, lung transplants, and bone marrow donor recipients. In the employment context, it has been linked to workers who are regularly exposed to the chemical diacetyl. It has also been linked to workers’ exposure to acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, metal oxide fumes, sulfur dioxide, ammonia, chlorine, nitrogen oxides, and hydrochloric acid.
According to the American Lung Association, this is a rare condition, but when workers do develop it, popcorn lung has no cure, is chronic, and it worsens over time. The disease is known as popcorn lung as a result of its original discovery among workers in manufacturing plants where microwave popcorn was made (which contained diacetyl).
Types of Workers Who Can Be at Risk of Developing Popcorn Lung
The following types of workers may be exposed in their workplaces to the substances cited above:
- Coffee roasting plant workers;
- Workers exposed to or working with e-cigarettes (vapes);
- Fertilizer, plastics, rubber, solvent, and other manufacturing workers;
- Food and beverage processing workers;
- Petroleum refining workers;
- Miners;
- Certain types of construction workers; and
- Welders.
The above is not a complete list, and other types of workers can be exposed to chemicals or substances that can result in popcorn lung or other chronic respiratory conditions that may be compensable through the Maryland workers’ compensation system.
Contact Our Maryland Workers’ Compensation Attorneys for Assistance with Your Bronchiolitis Obliterans Claim
In order to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, you will need medical evidence that shows your condition arose out of and occurred in the course of your employment in Maryland. An experienced Maryland workers’ compensation lawyer at the Law Offices of Steinhardt, Siskind and Lieberman, LLC can begin working with you on your case today. Contact us for assistance with your workers’ compensation claim.
Sources:
lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/popcorn-lung/learn-about-popcorn-lung
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22590-popcorn-lung-bronchiolitis-obliterans
