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Why Everyone Is Talking About Railroad Workers Right Now
Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

For decades, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to clean up an underground plume of creosote at its contaminated rail yard. And now, the latest tests suggest that the contamination could still be affecting those who live nearby.

Researchers say it may be linked to the increased cancer rates in the area. Two years into a state-wide health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote which is a common chemical used to treat wood is also a popular one. It is also a poisonous substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a dense oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. Railroad Workers Cancer has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product that has been in use for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other kinds of wood including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It is also used to protect log homes and other structures against the effects of rot and insect invasion.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares creosote is a risky chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause irritation to the skin and eyes, chemical burns, stomach discomfort and burning in the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems.

Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum carcinomas. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.

According to the EPA, it is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with various cancers that include esophageal aswell lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades, thanks to an old rail yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil and is spreading underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and adopt preventative measures to stop the spread.

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

They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering and also damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other related costs. Railroad Workers And Cancer claim that they have been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination, and other forms of pollution that has adversely affected their families and friends.


Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which don't break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, the soil of the water or in sediment for a lengthy period. They can come from diverse sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels aren't yet known, there is evidence that they can trigger serious illnesses , such as cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers immune issues, and endocrine problems, like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal issues, weakened immunity and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most frequent way that people are exposed to the toxins is through food and water. They are not volatile or water-soluble, so they are easily absorbed by the body through the intake of dairy products, meat, fish, and other seafood.

However, it is crucial to remember that the amount of exposure that has a harmful effect on your health is dependent on numerous factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you eat or drink and how much air you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, your diet, and family traits to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.

The kind of contaminant is also important. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative impact on health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to have a negative effect on your health.

PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system and cause problems with the development of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster of cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is next to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department said that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. The release said that the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to sue Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. After being shown to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.

PCBs can infect soil as well as water and air in many parts around the globe after they are released into the environment. They bind strongly to organic matter, and are often persistent, meaning they are relatively easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a major concern for protecting the environment and public health. The EPA considers them a probable carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

Railroad Workers And Cancer are mainly consumed through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef, and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This can result from leaks or spills that can occur in electrical and other equipment.

Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or through their skin. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as chloracne which is small, pale skin lesions that can last from a few weeks to a few years.

However the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet completely comprehended. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and biliary tract cancers in humans, but more studies are needed to determine how this impacts us.

EPA is also studying whether these chemicals cause birth defects in newborns, like lower birth weight. A low birth weight has been linked with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in life. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or a later age.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal and is found in many products, including paints, pipes and food containers. It is absorbed into the body through two main pathways: oral and respiratory.

It is a strong chemical that can oxidize and react with other chemicals in your environment. It can accumulate in the body, which can lead to serious health issues, such as cancer and other diseases.

In Houston the residents who live near a creosote treatment facility run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked the federal government for an order to the railroad to clean its contaminated site.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic for humans, such as creosote. The company has tried to clean up the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents say.

The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is among the most severe effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has revealed that soil samples from the rail yard have a higher concentration of creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the slow evaporation of creosote into the atmosphere. As it is, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors which are toxic for both children and adults.

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

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

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

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