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Why Railroad Workers Isn't As Easy As You Think
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 in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. Recent tests have revealed that contamination could still be affecting residents living nearby.

Researchers say it may be linked to the increased cancer rates in the region. Two years into a health inspection by the state, they found higher-than-expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote


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

It is a thick oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a bitter taste. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit is a distillation of coal product that has been in use for over 150 years as a wood preservative.

It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, such as fence posts and utility poles, and pilings from marine construction. It can also be used to protect log homes and other structures from insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote may be a hazardous chemical. The exposure to creosote over short periods of time can cause irritation to the eyes and skin, chemical burns stomach pains, burning of mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.

It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked to a variety kinds of cancers, including esophageal and lung cancer.

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

Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test regularly for contamination and take steps to stop the spread of the disease.

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

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to help cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they have suffered the effects of environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, the soil of the water, or sediment for a long period. They can come from many sources, including natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels are not known but there is evidence that they can trigger serious illnesses like cancer. Higher levels of dioxin are linked to a higher risk of heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune-related issues and endocrine problems, including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes as well as weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts known as chloracne.

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 water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products or fish and other seafood.

It is vital to remember, however, that exposure can cause harm to your health, based on numerous factors like how much you consume, drink, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also important to consider your age, gender, diet, nutritional status and family traits, as well as other factors in your health that could determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.

In addition, the type of contaminant can be an important aspect. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more harmful than others to the health of humans. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.

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

For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a string of cancer deaths that has been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their homes. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department stated that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The release said that the results were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators isn't sufficient in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in consumer and industrial products. They were banned in 1979 following they were found to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and impair learning.

PCBs can be harmful to soil, water, and air in many areas of the world after they are released into the environment. They bind tightly to organic matter, and are often persistent that means they are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a major problem for protecting the environment and public health. The EPA considers them a potential human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Additionally certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals while pregnant.

PCBs are most commonly consumed through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs, fish is the main source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

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

Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or through skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is small, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last from several weeks to several years.

However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully known. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, however more studies are needed to understand how this affects us.

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborn babies. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies showed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or later in life.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that can be found in many items like paints pipes, and food cans. The body can absorb it through two routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a powerful antioxidant that can react with other chemicals in the environment. It can build up in the body, and can lead to serious health issues, such as cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy are at risk of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's help in the cleanup of the railroad's toxic site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has caused harm to its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The company has been trying to remove the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents believe.

Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is one of the most grave consequences of the contamination. A recent study by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples from the rail yard is much higher than the level recommended for drinking water.

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

It is also possible that fumes are causing cancers to the residents who breathe the vapors. A door-to-door health survey is currently being carried out in the neighborhood to find out more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of residents.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It is a sad situation and it should be dealt with immediately.

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

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