How Railroad Workers Was Able To Become The No.1 Trend On Social Media

Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

For decades, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to remove an underground plume of creosote at its contaminated rail yard. Recent tests have revealed that contamination could still be affecting residents living nearby.

Researchers believe it is due to the high number of cancers in the region. Two years after the launch of a state-wide health investigation and a study by researchers, they found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a chemical commonly used in the treatment of wood. It is also a harmful substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance which is black or amber in appearance and has a smokey odor and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been used for more than 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad ties, Union Pacific Houston Cancer and other types woods like fence posts and utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used for protecting log structures and homes from decay and insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states creosote is a hazardous chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for brief periods may cause irritation to the eyes and skin, chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues and even permanent damage.

Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum tumors. This is a significant concern for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen, according to the EPA. It has been linked with a variety of cancers which include esophageal, as well lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time, thanks to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. The chemical is said to have affected their homes and soil and continues to spread throughout the underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests frequently for contamination and take measures to stop the spread of the disease.

In October 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote that was emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and is causing serious health problems.

They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering and also damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they are harmed by environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other types of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals that do not degrade quickly in the environment and they can remain in the air, water, or in sediment for a long period of time. They are found in a variety of locations such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels aren't known, there is evidence that they can cause serious illnesses , such as cancer. People exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to be at greater risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune system problems, and Union Pacific Houston Cancer endocrine changes such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive issues, a weak immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues as well as hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts, known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most common way people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They aren't water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

However, it is crucial to be aware that the amount of exposure that can have negative effects on your health is contingent upon many factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you consume alcohol or food, and how much you breathe. It is also crucial to consider your age, gender, diet, nutritional status and family traits in addition to other factors in your health that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.

Furthermore, the kind of contaminant is an important aspect. The EPA states that certain toxic substances are more likely to have a damaging impact on health than others. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote to cause harm to your health.

For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They can also affect the immune system of a person, and hinder the growth of healthy bones and teeth.

For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a string of cancer-related deaths that has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their homes. The city's health department announced Friday that it found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The release said that the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he plans to sue Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate given the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. PCBs were banned in 1979, after being proven to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and impair learning.

PCBs can cause contamination of soil, water, and air in a variety of regions of the world once they are released into the environment. They are powerful binders of organic matter, and are easily transported and accumulated into the environment.

In the end, PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of public health and the environment. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

Additionally, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Fish is the most common source of exposure, since they contain the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.

Drinking and showering with PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This can be caused by leaks or spills that could be caused by electrical or other equipment.

People can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or by skin contact. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as chloracne which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years.

The effects of PCBs upon human health are not completely comprehended. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or the biliary tract cancers among humans, but more studies are needed to discover the extent to which this impacts us.

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. In two studies, children who were born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower body weight at birth and/or later in childhood.

Lead

Lead is a highly toxic metal that is found in many items including paints, pipes and food cans. The body absorbs it through two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a potent antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals found in the environment. It is able to accumulate in the body, which can lead to serious health problems like cancer and other diseases.

In Houston residents living near a creosote legacy treatment plant run by Union Pacific Railroad Workers And Cancer have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has asked for the assistance of the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated site.

Union Pacific Railroad Cancer has a history in which it has contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The Railroad Workers Cancer has been trying to remove the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents say.

One of the biggest problems that resulted from the contamination was the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the region. A recent study conducted by health officials has found that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain an increased amount of creosote than that recommended for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the slow escape of creosote to the atmosphere. It is causing residents to inhale toxic levels of vapors, which can be fatal for children as well as adults.

It is also possible that the particles are causing cancers among the residents who breathe the vapors. A door-to-door health survey is currently being carried out in the neighborhood to understand how the vapors affect the lives of residents.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very tragic situation that needs to be addressed immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher in children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens areas than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.