CCA is a chemical compound utilized in the lumber industry to slow wood decay. Wood is a crucial part of construction, so the timber industry made a compound of copper, chromium, and arsenic to preserve timber and slow this effect.
Of the compounds in CCA, arsenic has been connected to the most damages. The CCA is leached out of the wood by burning or direct contamination. CCA maintains wood by getting rid of particular cellulose and lignin materials that can be used as nourishment for fungi and pests. CCA exposure can occur by burning or leeching, in which the chemical seeps into its surrounding environment.
Adverse Effects of CCA
Arsenic is the chemical causing injuries to those exposed to CCA and can be tested through hair, urine, and fingernail samples. Arsenic exposure can cause renal injury, spasms, jaundice, and hypertension. The harshness of the injuries depends on the amount and duration of the exposure.
What Are Legal Remedies Available for Arsenic Poisoning?
Arsenic is a chemical found in various forms and can cause injuries or even death if a high level is ingested. Low levels of arsenic can be seen in groundwater, soil, and the air because it is naturally occurring. Because of this, some food or drinks may include low levels of arsenic.
This will not likely cause any harm to individuals who ingest this food and drinks because of the low levels. However, long-time ingestion of lower levels of arsenic and exposure to a substance containing higher levels of arsenic can cause mild to severe injuries.
Arsenic can be more dangerous in products that contain higher levels, such as insecticides and pesticides. Drinking contaminated groundwater with higher arsenic levels is also hazardous and can cause arsenic poisoning. Drinking filtered water can help to bypass this gamble.
What Are the Symptoms of Arsenic Poisoning?
Symptoms of arsenic poisoning can be short-lived or long-term, depending on the level of arsenic ingested and how long you were exposed to the arsenic. However, keep in mind that if you consume very low levels of arsenic or arsenic in a less toxic form, you may not experience any symptoms.
The degree of symptoms and related conditions resulting from arsenic poisoning are broad and can include any of the following:
- Vomiting;
- Headaches;
- Diarrhea;
- Abdominal discomfort;
- Burning feeling in the throat and mouth;
- Shock;
- Renal failure;
- Skin cancer;
- Lung cancer;
- Kidney cancer; and
- Death.
Additionally, pregnant people who encounter arsenic poisoning are at high risk for congenital disabilities or infant death in severe cases.
Several tests can diagnose arsenic poisoning, including those based on your urine, blood, hair, and fingernails. The most trustworthy test to diagnose direct poisoning is the urine test, as long as it is taken one to two days after the exposure. Hair and fingernail tests are good indicators of long-term arsenic exposure.
What Are Some Risk Factors for Arsenic Poisoning?
Your likelihood of exposure to arsenic depends on various elements impacting your everyday life, such as employment and environment. Many companies widely use arsenic. Working for a business that uses arsenic can improve your chance of exposure. Industries commonly use arsenic glass production, smelting, wood treatment, insecticides, and pesticides.
You might be exposed to arsenic and experience any symptoms or conditions listed above. You should pursue medical attention to get the proper testing to determine if you are experiencing arsenic poisoning.
Remember that arsenic can leave the human body in a few days. So if you are no longer near the origin of exposure, like your work, and are taking some sick leave to heal, be sure to get tested during this period to confirm that you are suffering from arsenic poisoning. Otherwise, be certain that your hair and fingernails are tested for arsenic, as they can reflect high levels of exposure in the past year.
What Are Some Examples of Toxic Exposure?
There are many different types of toxic exposure that can transpire in different environments.
Some examples of toxic exposure are:
- Exposure to chemicals in your workplace;
- Exposure to mold such as dangerous types of black mold;
- Exposure to Asbestos;
- Exposure to lead paint;
- Exposure to toxic fumes from activities such as welding;
- Hazardous chemicals in medications/drugs which are defective;
- Environmental contamination because of the release of particular gasses or toxins; and
- Soil or groundwater contamination because of the dumping of wastes and chemicals.
Can I File a Lawsuit After Experiencing Arsenic Poisoning?
Individuals suffering harm from toxic arsenic exposure can sue the party responsible for exposing them to arsenic. This lawsuit is usually based on negligence, as the average defendant does not deliberately expose the average plaintiff to arsenic or other poisons.
Suppose you have been exposed to arsenic while on the job. The target defendant would be your employer. Your damages could include any funds you spent on medical treatment or lost work hours resulting from your situation.
Another conceivable lawsuit could be based on product liability. This kind of lawsuit would be useful if a manufacturer sold products (most likely food or drink items) with dangerous arsenic levels that caused consumers some harm.
You could claim that the products were unsafe for consumption and should not have been authorized for sale. You could also claim that the manufacturer failed to alert consumers of the harmful arsenic levels present in the product and the risk of injury after someone consumes the product.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also regulates the amount of arsenic that is permitted to be present in drinking water. The EPA is a federal agency that promotes, controls, monitors, and enforces environmental protection. The EPA and corresponding state agencies can monitor and enforce compliance with the rules relating to arsenic to ensure that safe drinking water is available to the public.
Current Status of CCA
The EPA has recently enacted regulations on the use of CCA. However, it is a practical wood preservative and is still widely used worldwide in the timber industry. One of the most common ways of CCA exposure is through burning. Avoid scrap wood from construction sites since wood designated for building construction is treated with chemical compounds for better durability. If you think you might have been exposed to toxic levels of CCA, consult your physician.
Contacting an attorney specializing in defective products or toxic exposure can help retain your legal rights and strengthen your ability to recover from your injuries.
Do I Need to Contact an Attorney About Arsenic Poisoning?
Arsenic poisoning is a perilous risk that no one should face without adequate compensation. If you have suffered from arsenic poisoning, you should contact a class action attorney to understand more about proceeding with a lawsuit against anyone who may have put you at risk for exposure to the arsenic that eventually led to your damages.
An attorney can also help you determine if you have a case and decide who should be named defendants in the lawsuit. After the case, if filed, an attorney can try to negotiate a settlement on your behalf that compensates you for the injuries you suffered.
A lawyer in your area can represent your interests at trial if the case does not settle. They can also keep you updated about any changes in the law that might affect your claim.
