Notes

10 Railroad Workers That Are Unexpected
Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn't done enough to clean the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. And now, the most recent tests show that the contamination could still be affecting those who live near.

Researchers say it may be related to the elevated cancer rates in the region. Union Pacific Cancer Cluster after the launch of an all-state health investigation, researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the area surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a popular chemical used in the treatment of wood is also a very common one. It can cause cancer in those exposed to it.

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

It is used in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods, such as fence posts and utility poles, and pilings for marine structures. It can also be used for protecting log homes and other structures against insects and rot.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is a potentially dangerous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause irritation to the skin and eyes, chemical burns, stomach discomfort and burning in the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems.

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum carcinomas. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.

It is considered a probable human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked to a variety of different types of cancer such as esophageal or lung cancer.

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

Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test regularly for contamination and to take steps to prevent it from spreading.

Union Pacific Cancer Cluster of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote had contaminated their soil, causing significant health problems as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering and also damages from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They claim to have been affected by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other types of pollution that has affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that do not break down quickly in the environment and they can be found in the air, water, soil or sediment for an extended time. Union Pacific Cancer Cluster can come from various sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin are not known at low levels, however there is evidence that suggests they can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. Higher levels of dioxin are linked to a higher risk for organ cancers, heart disease immune issues, and endocrine issues like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking water or food. They aren't volatile and water-soluble, which means they are more easily absorbed by the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products fish, and other seafood.

It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure to dioxins could cause harm to your health depending on many factors such as how much you consume, drink, and how often you breathe. It is also crucial to take into consideration your age, gender as well as your diet, nutritional status and family traits in addition to other health factors that may influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.

The kind of contaminant used is also important. The EPA states that certain toxic substances are more likely to have a damaging impact on health than others. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.

PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also harm the immune system of a person and interfere with the development of healthy bones and teeth.

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

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and household products for over 60 years. These chemicals were banned in 1979 following being discovered to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and hinder learning.

Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in a variety of areas around the world. They bind tightly to organic matter, and are often persistent, meaning they are relatively simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

This is why PCBs are a major concern for the protection of public health and the environment. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA and have been found to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

In addition, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially true for children who have been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

PCBs are mainly consumed through food items. Fish are the primary source of exposure because they are the largest source of PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.


Another method of being exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is contaminated with PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spills which could be caused by electrical or other equipment.

Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through their skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as Chloracne. This is a mild pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last from weeks or even years.

However the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely understood. Railroad Workers And Cancer have suggested that they could cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to understand how this affects us.

EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, including less weight at birth. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. 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 many products, such as paints, pipes and food containers. The body absorbs it through two major routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a strong oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals in the environment. This can cause it to accumulate within the body. This can lead to serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.

In Houston residents living near a creosote treatment plant owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's help in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated facility.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of polluting its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals for humans, such as creosote. The company has been trying to clean up the contamination, but the plan submitted 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 dangerous effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has revealed that soil samples taken from the rail yard have an increased amount of creosote than that recommended for drinking water.

Another concern is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. It causes residents to breathe harmful levels of vapors which could cause death for both children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in those who inhale them. A door-to door health survey is being carried out in the neighborhood to find out more about the effects of the vapors on the residents' lives.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a terribly sad situation that must be addressed immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study found that the rate of leukemia was 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 prevalent in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.

Homepage: https://penzu.com/p/3d44a5fe