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What Is Railroad Workers And Why Is Everyone Speakin' 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 done enough to clean the underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. The latest tests suggest that the contamination could continue to affect people who live near.

Researchers believe that it could be due to the high number of cancers found in the region. Two years after launching an investigation across the state on health, 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 chemical commonly used in the treatment of wood. It is also a dangerous substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it.

It is a heavy, oily substance that is amber or black in color and has a smoky odor and a burnt taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.

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

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

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

According to the EPA, it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a number of different types of cancer including esophageal as well as lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote due to a former railroad yard close to their homes. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes and is spreading underground.

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

In October of 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil, causing significant health issues from the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering, as well as compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other costs. They claim they are harmed by environmental racism and discrimination and other forms of pollution that have impacted them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances which do not break down quickly in the environment and can remain in the air, water, or in sediment for a long duration. They can be derived from a variety of sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels aren't yet known however, there is evidence to suggest that they can cause serious diseases like cancer. The people who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin have been found to be at greater risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune system issues and endocrine disorders, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal problems, suppressed immunity womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.

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

It is nevertheless important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that has a harmful effect on your health is dependent on several factors, such as the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you eat or drink and the amount of air you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, your diet, and family traits to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.

In addition, the form of contaminant is an important factor. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative effect on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.

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

For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a cluster of cancer-related deaths which has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their neighborhoods. The city's health department announced on Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit said 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 proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for over 60 years. PCBs were banned in 1979, after being discovered to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and hinder learning.

PCBs can contaminate soil, water, and air in many regions of the world once they are released into the environment. They are powerful binders of organic matter, and are easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a major issue for the protection of the environment and public health. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who are exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

PCBs are most commonly ingested through food. Fish is the primary source of exposure since they are the largest source of PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.

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

People are also exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin contact. These chemicals can cause a condition called chloracne, which is a small, pale, yellow skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.

The effects of PCBs upon the human body are not completely comprehended. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, however more studies are needed to determine what this means for us.

The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns. Low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, 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 toxic metal that is found in many products like paints pipes, and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two main routes: respiratory and oral.

It is an extremely chemical that can oxidize and react with other chemicals in your environment. This can lead to its accumulation within the body and lead to serious health problems like cancer, among other illnesses.

In Houston the residents who live near a creosote legacy treatment facility run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to direct the railroad to clean its toxic site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having caused harm to its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The company has been trying to clean up the mess, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents believe.

The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is one of the most serious consequences of the contamination. Railroad Cancer Lawyer by health officials has revealed that soil samples taken from the rail yard have an increased amount of creosote than what is required for drinking water.

Another concern is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. As it escapes, it is causing 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 people who breathe them. To learn more about the impact of the vapors in the lives of residents there is a door-to door survey being done in the neighborhood.

This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very tragic situation that must be addressed immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study found that the rate of leukemia was five times higher among children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.

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