Why Railroad Workers Isn't As Easy As You Imagine

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 clean up creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its rail yard that is contaminated. The latest tests show the contamination could still be affecting people who live nearby.

Researchers believe that it could be due to the high rate of cancers in the region. Two years into a state-wide health investigation the researchers found higher than anticipated rates of childhood leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical, is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a dangerous substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a dense oily substance which is black or amber in appearance and has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product and has been used for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

In the United States, it is used to treat Railroad Cancer Lawyer ties as well as other kinds of wood, including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It is also used to protect log structures and homes against insects and rot.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be a potentially dangerous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause skin and eye irritation, chemical burns stomach pain and burning in the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues.

Exposure for long periods can lead to skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious issue for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA, it is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a variety of cancers which include esophageal, as well lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for years, thanks to an old rail yard located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes, and continues to spread underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific Cancer Cluster Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination regularly and implement preventative measures to prevent the spread.

In October of 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and causing significant health problems.

They are seeking damages from the Railroad Cancer Settlements to cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim that they have been harmed by environmental racism discrimination, sexism, and other forms of pollution that affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals which do not break down quickly in the environment, and they can be found in the soil, air, water or in sediment for a long duration. They can be derived from a variety of sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are not known at low levels, however there is evidence to suggest that they can cause cancer and other serious diseases. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease immune disorders, and endocrine problems, including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause problems with hormones, immune suppression as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most popular way that people are exposed to dioxin is through food or drinking water. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble so they are more easily absorbable by the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.

It is vital to remember, however, that exposure can cause harm to your health based on a variety of factors like how much you eat, drink, and the frequency with which you breathe. You should also consider your gender and age, your diet, and family traits to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.

In addition, the form of contaminant is another important aspect. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more dangerous than others for the health of humans. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.

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

For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a cluster of cancer deaths that have been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their neighborhoods. The city's health department announced on Friday that it had 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's going to sue Union Pacific Houston Cancer Pacific over the matter and that a plan presented to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. These substances were banned in 1979, after being proven to cause cancer, suppress the immune system and inhibit learning.

After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in a variety of areas around the world. They bind strongly to organic matter and are generally persistent and therefore, are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a major problem to protect the environment and public health. The EPA considers them a probable human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Furthermore certain studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.

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

Another way to be exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is contaminated with PCBs. This could be the result of leaks or spills that occur in electrical equipment and other.

People may also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as Chloracne. It is a small pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last for weeks to years.

The effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully recognized. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, however more studies are needed to discover what this means for us.

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. Low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies found that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or older.

Lead

Lead is a highly toxic metal that is present in a variety of products including paints, pipes and food containers. It can be absorbed by the body through two major pathways: the respiratory and oral.

It is a potent oxidizing chemical and Union Pacific Houston Cancer can react with other chemicals in your surroundings. It can build up in the body, Union Pacific Houston Cancer which could cause serious health issues, such as cancer and other illnesses.

Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy are at a high risk of cancer. The city has asked for assistance from the federal government in cleaning up the Railroad Cancer Lawsuit's toxic site.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of polluting its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, including creosote. The company has been working to eliminate the contamination, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents claim.

One of the major problems that stemmed from the contamination was the groundwater plume beneath homes in the area. A recent study conducted by the health department has shown that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples near the rail yard is greater than the levels recommended for drinking water.

Another issue is the slow release of creosote into the atmosphere. As it escapes, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors, which are harmful for children as well as adults.

It is also possible that the particles are causing cancers among the residents who are breathing them in. A door-to door health survey is being carried out in the neighborhood to find out more about how the vapors affect the lives of residents.

This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a pity and it should be dealt with immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher in children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens areas than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.