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What Is Railroad Workers And Why Is Everyone Talking About It?
Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn’t taken the necessary steps to clean up an underground plume contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that contamination is still impacting residents living near.


Researchers suggest it could be related to elevated cancer rates in the region. Two years into a state health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is one of the most common chemicals used in the treatment of wood. It is also a dangerous substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a bitter taste. It is a coal tar distillation product that has been used 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 safeguard log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is a potentially dangerous chemical. The exposure to creosote over short periods can result in skin and eye irritation chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of the throat or mouth, kidney or liver problems and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious concern for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

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

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years due to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They claim the chemical has affected their homes and soil, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test regularly for contamination , and take steps to prevent the spread of the disease.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil and caused significant health issues from the former rail yard.

They are seeking damages from the railroad in order to cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they've been affected by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances which do not break down quickly in the environment, and they can be found in the air, water, soil or sediment for an extended period of. They can be found in diverse sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin aren't clear at low levels, but there is evidence that suggests they can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. The people who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to have an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system problems and endocrine changes such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal issues, suppressed immunity as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most frequent way that people are exposed dioxin is through drinking or eating. They are not volatile or water-soluble, so they are easily taken in by the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

However, it is important to remember that the level of exposure that can have detrimental effects on your health will depend on several factors, such as the amount you eat or drink, how often you consume alcohol or food, and how often you breathe. It is also important to consider your age, gender and diet, nutritional status and family characteristics, as well as other health factors that could influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.

Additionally, the type of contaminant is also an important factor. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more dangerous than others for human health. 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 affect the immune system of a person, and affect the development of healthy bones and teeth.

For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a rash of cancer deaths that has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their communities. The city's health department announced on Friday that it found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The release stated that the results weren't encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he plans to sue Union Pacific over the matter, and said 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 over 60 years. After being shown to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in many areas of the world. They are extremely binders to organic matter and are generally persistent, meaning they are relatively easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a significant concern for the protection of the environment and public health. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen and has shown that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

Additionally certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who are exposed to PCBs in the womb.

PCBs are mainly consumed through food. Fish is the primary source of exposure because they contain the highest amount of PCBs. However, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.

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

People may also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin contact. These chemicals can trigger a condition called Chloracne. This is small pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last for months or even years.

However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully comprehended. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, but further research is needed to find out how this affects us.

EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, including low birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. 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 a variety of items including paints, pipes, and food cans. It is absorbed into the body through two major pathways: the respiratory and oral.

It is a potent chemical that can oxidize and react with other chemicals present in your environment. This could cause it to build up in the body and can lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked for assistance from the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's contamination site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a long history of having affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The company has been working to clean up the contamination, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents believe.

One of the major problems that stemmed from the contamination is the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the region. A recent study by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples near the rail yard is higher than the recommended levels for drinking water.

Another concern is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. Union Pacific Cancer is causing residents to inhale toxic levels of vapors which can be fatal for children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in those who breathe them. To learn more about the impact of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being done in the neighborhood.

This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation and must be dealt with immediately.

A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a type of leukemia at a five times higher rate than the average. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these areas than in other areas of Texas.

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/railroadcancersettlements