The Reasons Railroad Workers Isn't As Easy As You Imagine

Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

For Union pacific houston cancer decades, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to remove an underground plume of creosote at its rail yard that is contaminated. Now, the most recent tests suggest that the contamination could continue to affect those who live nearby.

Researchers believe that it could be due to the high number of cancers in the area. Two years into a health inspection by the state, they found higher-than-expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a chemical commonly used in the treatment of wood. It can also cause cancer in people who are exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance, amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preservative.

It is employed in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods, including fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings from marine construction. It can also be used to safeguard log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote could be an extremely hazardous chemical. Exposure to creosote 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 carcinomas. This is a serious concern for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA, it is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety kinds of cancers such as esophageal or lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, because of a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes and soil and continues to spread throughout the underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the initiative to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination regularly and adopt preventative measures to stop the spread.

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

They are seeking damages from the railroad to help cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim that they have been affected by environmental racism discrimination, sexism, and other kinds of pollution that have affected their families as well as them.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that don't break down in the environment quickly and can remain in the air, water soil or in sediment for long periods. They can be found in a variety of locations, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarettes, and incineration or hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't known yet, there is evidence suggesting that they could cause serious illnesses like cancer. People exposed to higher levels have been found to be at greater risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune system problems, and endocrine disorders including hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger problems with hormones, immune suppression as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most prevalent 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 absorbed into the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

It is important to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins can be detrimental to your health depending on many factors such as how much you drink, eat and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also essential to consider your age, gender and nutrition status, as well as diet and family traits along with other health factors that could influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.

The type of contaminant equally important. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative impact on human health than others. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.

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

For years, residents in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a series of cancer-related deaths which has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their neighborhoods. Friday's announcement by the city's health department claimed that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples near the rail yard. The release said that the results were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in industrial and consumer products. After they were proven to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.

PCBs can cause contamination of soil or water as well as air in many parts of the globe once they are released into the environment. They are strong binding agents of organic matter and can be easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a major issue for protecting the environment and public health. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA, and have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Additionally 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 in the womb.

PCBs are most commonly ingested through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.

Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This can result from spills or leaks that may be caused by electrical or other equipment.

People can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is a tiny pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last from weeks or even years.

However, the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet completely comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to better understand how this impacts us.

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborn babies. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. In two studies, children 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 can be present in a variety of products like paints, pipes and food cans. It is absorbed by the body via two main pathways: oral and respiratory.

It is a potent oxidizing chemical and can react with other substances in your environment. It can build up within the body and could lead to serious health issues, such as cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant are at risk of cancer. The city has asked for the assistance of the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's contamination site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The company has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough, residents say.

One of the most significant problems that resulted from the contamination was the groundwater plume beneath homes in the region. A recent study conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples taken from the rail yard have a higher concentration of creosote than what is required for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the gradual release of creosote in the air. It causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which are toxic for both children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in those who inhale them. To learn more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.

This is a major issue for Union Pacific Houston Cancer the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation and it should be resolved immediately.

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