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Kidney disease - Renal failure
Occupational renal disease caused by toxic substances in the workplace
Although kidney disease can be caused by factors other than in the workplace, there are risks in some occupations that can result in either acute kidney disease or chronic kidney disease. The two main causes of kidney disease outside the workplace are high blood pressure or diabetes. If you are suffering from kidney disease and have not been diagnosed with either of those conditions, it is possible that you have been exposed to a hazardous substance in the workplace.
If you have been exposed to toxic substances in the workplace and have received medical advice to the effect that this has caused you to experience health problems, such as kidney disease, you may be able to bring a claim for damages, otherwise known as compensation.
A UK charity has reported a rise in type-2 diabetes
The charity Diabetes UK has reported a rise in type-2 diabetes of nearly 130,000 in the past year alone. The national figure for type-2 diabetes sufferers now stands at 2.9million.
Unlike type-1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune disease causing the destruction of insulin-producing cells and which affects only 10% of all sufferers, type-2 diabetes is linked to lifestyle.
Diabetes UK points out in the report that individuals who are overweight are
more likely to develop the condition and “Losing 10% of your weight reduces your
chances of developing type-2 diabetes by 50%”.
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A UK charity has reported a rise in type-2 diabetes
Kidney disease – important information
Please select one of the links below to see how Clear Answers specialist occupational disease lawyers may be able to help you make a claim for personal injury compensation.
- Kidney disease – renal failure
- Clear Answers’ specialist personal injury lawyers
- Substances that can cause kidney disease
- Occupations posing a risk of workers developing kidney disease
- Symptoms of kidney disease and renal failure
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988
- Personal injury news stories
- Making a personal injury claim for occupational kidney disease
Kidney disease – renal failure
On either side of the body, beneath the main ribcage, the role of the kidneys is to filter waste products from the blood before converting them into urine. Bean-shaped organs, they help to maintain:
- Correct levels of chemicals in the body
- Help the heart and muscles function properly
- Produce a type of vitamin D that maintains healthy bones
- Produce erythropoietin – a stimulant for the production of red blood cells
- Blood pressure
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Clear Answers’ specialist personal injury lawyers
If you have been exposed to toxic substances in the workplace and have received medical advice to the effect that this has caused you to experience health problems, such as kidney disease, you may be able to bring a claim for damages, otherwise known as compensation. Please seek expert legal advice if you think you may have a valid industrial disease compensation claim as strict time limits apply.
Clear Answers’ personal injury advice lawyers specialise in all types of industrial injury claims, but have particular experience in dealing with compensation claims involving exposure to hazardous substances, resulting in kidney damage or renal failure.
If you decide to instruct Clear Answers industrial disease compensation solicitors to deal with the matter for you, they will recover their legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. You will receive 100% of any compensation awarded. Please visit our section on information and advice for more details on making a personal injury compensation claim.
Telephone us now on 0800 783 9019 or complete one of our online compensation claim forms and a representative will contact you as soon as possible.
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Substances that can cause kidney disease
Metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic and uranium are heavy metals that are used in some industries. They are classed as nephrotoxins (substances that cause inflammation of the kidney - nephritis).
- Arsenic is found in wood preserver and pesticides and as well as causing serious health problems, can cause cancers such as skin, lung, bladder, liver, prostate and of course kidney cancer
- Cadmium is found in batteries, but also pigments, metal coatings and plastics. In addition to kidney disease, it can also cause other conditions and is initially accumulated in the liver before being transferred to the kidneys, carried by the carrier protein metallothionein.
- Lead is found in batteries, ammunition, pipes, and X-rays shields
- Mercury is found in chlorine gas and caustic soda production, thermometers, dental fillings and batteries.
- Historically, Mercury was widely used in mirror making, though its use in this industry has mostly died out. Mercury poisoning also used to be widespread during the mining of mercury ore (cinnabar).
- One unusual source of contamination is the mercury vapour discharged from crematoria during the incineration of the deceased who had had amalgam fillings.
- Uranium of course is found in nuclear energy and weapons and is radioactive, causing kidney disease
Other substances such as silica (considered a metal but not a heavy metal), certain organic compounds such as halogenated hydrocarbons that are employed as industrial solvents, can also be responsible for developing kidney disease.
Many substances are capable of causing harm because they are ingested without obvious signs of exposure. Breathing contaminated air, drinking or swimming in contaminated water can result in kidney damage. These include:
- Barium exposure takes place mainly in the workplace (found in drilling muds, paint, bricks, ceramics, glass, rubber)
- Carbon Tetracholoride (found in aerosols and pesticides) which can also remain as a contaminant in soil
- Dichloroethene, which is found in the plastics industry, is found mainly in contaminated air in the workplace
- Hydrazines are used in rocket fuels, pharmaceuticals and to prepare the gas precursors used in airbags, but can also be found in contaminated fish
- Manganese (found in pesticides and fuel additive)
- Phosphorus, which is found in ammunition, fertilizers, food additives and cleansers. It can also be absorbed by eating birds or fish that have themselves been contaminated.
- Toluene, a solvent used extensively in the printing industry, can cause kidney damage when the fumes are inhaled
- The insecticide, Toxaphen
There is also evidence to suggest that lead is an independent risk factor causing elevated blood pressure whilst there may be no presence of overt renal failure.
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Occupations posing a risk of workers developing kidney disease
The list of hazardous substances which can cause workers to develop kidney disease is extensive, so too the type of industries and occupations in which workers can be at risk, ranging from manual workers, through professional workers and workers in nuclear industries.
Exposure can occur not only during the manufacturing and production of many items, but also the use of those items in other industries and operations.
Specific occupations where there is a known risk include dentistry, nuclear energy production, and the operation of crematoria. Amongst the many other workers potentially at risk are farmers, through their use of pesticides and insecticides, and workers in occupations that involve the use of wood preserver such as gardeners or builders.
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Symptoms of kidney disease and renal failure
Fortunately, we are normally born with two kidneys, which provide the body with substantially more kidney function than is necessary for our survival. Even if we are in the situation of having only one functioning kidney, this is usually sufficient function for our survival. Unfortunately, this means that people who are suffering with chronic kidney disease will be unaware of their condition until either it is diagnosed by routine testing for kidney disease, or their condition deteriorates towards kidney failure (established renal failure).
A routine blood or urine test for other unrelated reasons, can often discover a problem with kidney function long before the symptoms become apparent.
If the kidney(s) continue to lose function undiagnosed, the symptoms of impending kidney failure may include:
- Swollen ankles, feet or hands
- Tiredness and shortness of breath
- Blood or protein in urine (this can only be detected during a urine test)
- Itchy skin
- Nausea
- An increased need to urinate (particularly at night)
In the case of male sufferers, there may be additional problems with erectile dysfunction (the inability to achieve or maintain an erection).
In extreme circumstances, chronic kidney disease is a potentially serious condition and sufferers can have an increased risk of a stroke or heart attack due to the changes that occur in the circulation, and can cause kidney failure (established renal failure). Please go to our section on treatments for kidney disease.
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Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988
The CoSHH Regulations, introduced in 1988, were put in place to protect workers from exposure to chemicals and other substances in the workplace. Under these regulations, employers have a duty to carry out risk assessments and take appropriate protective steps to manage work activities to eliminate exposure. Failing that, they have a duty to control and reduce exposure to as low a level as is practically possible. The use of protective gloves, goggles, respiratory protection and protective clothing are to be the last resort.
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Personal injury news stories
Clear Answers personal injury solicitors deal with a large number of industrial disease compensation claims each year, including those resulting from negligent exposure to hazardous substances causing kidney damage. Please visit our Personal Injury News Section to view details of these stories and other successful personal injury compensation claims that Clear Answers’ solicitors have been involved in.
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Making a personal injury claim for occupational kidney disease
Whether your personal injury was caused by exposure to chemicals or hazardous substances at work or in a public place, you may still be entitled to make a claim. Providing it can be proven that your injury was caused by your exposure to the hazardous substance and the person or company who allowed you to come into contact with the chemical was negligent or in breach of applicable statutory regulations, then your claim for compensation should be valid.
Clear Answers’ personal injury lawyers are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist industrial disease lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have.
If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Clear Answers’ solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. You will retain 100% of any compensation awarded to you for your injuries. Telephone us now on 0800 783 9019 or complete one of our online compensation claim forms.
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