Metalworking Fluid Exposure: Symptoms, Legal Ramifications

In recent class action lawsuit news, people across the United States are suing different manufacturing companies after suffering from metalworking fluid illness. It has been discovered that as a result of working with different manufacturing jobs, some workers developed skin lesions, cancer, and other side effects of cutting fluid exposure.

Experts suspect exposure to metalworking fluids from these manufacturing jobs have caused a variety of health problems for the employees. The time between exposure and diagnosis varies, but generally the side effects tend to be latent and too late to cure,  leaving victims with incurring medical costs, lower quality of life, and living in pain and suffering.

Exposure to toxic metal cutting oil and cutting fluid, even in the smallest amounts, can lead to immediate injury or lifelong organ damage that can take years to show symptoms on the victims. Once the victims are exposed to the metalworking fluid when touching, ingesting, and/or inhaling the deadly mists, vapors, or fumes of the metal fluids.

Oftentimes these men and women worked in a dangerous environment without even knowing it.  Additionally, it is alleged that manufacturers were aware of the health hazards associated with this metal, but still had their employees work in the toxic environment, without proper protection. Continual exposure to this liquid metal leads to conditions which includes, but is not limited to:

• Chronic cough
• Burning eyes
• Lung Irritation (including Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis)
• Difficulty breathing (Chronic Bronchitis and Occupational Asthma)
• Respiratory failure
• Skin rash (Allergic Contact Dermatitis and Irritant Contact Dermatitis)

Workers who experience these symptoms may be eligible for compensation through joining a metalworking fluid exposure class action lawsuit.

Overview of Medical Conditions from Metalworking Fluid Exposure

According to statistics, somewhere between 14 percent and 67 percent of workers exposed to these liquid metals suffer from different medical consequences.  The different cancers which arise from metal cutting fluid exposure include, but are not limited to:

• Sinonasal Cancer: A rare, aggressive type of cancer which is characterized by tumors that grows inside the nasal or sinus cavities. The tumors invade healthy tissue and spread across the body. They can arise from the lining, blood vessels, nerves, bone or cartilage of the nose or sinuses.
• Nasopharyngeal Cancer: Also known as nasopharynx cancer, this form of cancer is the most common type found in the upper region of the throat, behind the nose. Malignant tumors found in this region have the potential to be near tissue and spread across the body.
• Myeloid Leukemia: Can be classified as either acute or chronic, and is characterized by abnormal white blood cells that grow rapidly and accumulate in bone marrow.  It also interferes with the production of normal blood cells. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is rare, but is the most common acute leukemia in adults and the chances of it occurring increases with age.
• Pulmonary Edema: A condition in which fluid accumulates in the lungs, which can lead to difficult breathing, respiratory failure, hypoxia, and death. This condition is most often caused by a heart disorder, but could be caused by pneumonia, toxic exposure, or living in high elevations.
• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis: Inflammation of the tissue in the lung. It is typically caused by exposure to airborne irritants such as machine fluids in factories, aspiration or radiation therapies, and other similar complications.

File a Metalworking Fluid Class Action Lawsuit Today

If you worked or some you know with metalworking fluids, cutting fluids, cutting oil, or metal lubricants and are experiencing any of the symptoms or diseases described above, legal options are available. For more information check out the Metal Working, Cutting Fluid Exposure Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. There you can submit your information and a legal expert will contact you if you have a case. So act now!