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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 the creosote sludge that is buried at its contaminated rail yard. Now, the most recent tests suggest that the contamination could still be affecting people who live near.
Researchers say it may be related to the elevated cancer rates in the region. Two years after launching an all-state health investigation the researchers discovered that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is a popular chemical used in the treatment of wood is also a typical one. It is also a poisonous substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.
It is a dense, oily substance that is amber or black in color and has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been in use for more than 150 years as a wood preservative.
It is used in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods like fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings for marine use. It can also be used for protecting log homes and other structures against decay and insect infestation.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote, according to the EPA, is an extremely dangerous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause eye and skin irritation chemical burns stomach discomfort and burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver issues.
Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious concern for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.
It is believed to be a human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked with a variety of different cancer types such as esophageal or lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years, thanks to a former rail yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes, and continues to spread underground.
The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the initiative to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test regularly for contamination , and take measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
In October 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote had contaminated their soil and caused major health issues as a result of the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering and compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They claim that they have been harmed by racism in the environment and discrimination, as well as other types of pollution that has affected their families as well as them.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemicals that do not break down quickly in the environment, and they can stay in the soil, air, or sediment for a long duration. They can be found in various sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents, smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.
Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't identified but there is evidence that they could cause serious illnesses such as cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked with an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune issues, and endocrine issues, including hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger hormonal issues, suppressed immunity as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most popular way that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking water or food. They are not volatile or water-soluble so they are more easily taken in by the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.
It is important to remember that exposure can have a detrimental effect on your health based on a variety of factors such as how much you drink, eat and how often you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, your diet, and family characteristics to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.
In addition, the form of contaminant is an important factor. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to have a negative effect on human health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs, are more likely than creosote have a negative effect on your health.
For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also affect the immune system of a person and interfere with the growth of healthy bones and teeth.
For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a series of cancer deaths that has been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their neighborhoods. The city's health department announced Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The release said that the results 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 wouldn't be sufficient in light of the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for over 60 years. After being found to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.
Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil across the world. They are strong binders of organic matter, and are easily transported and accumulated into the environment.
PCBs are a major issue for protecting the environment and public health. The EPA considers them a probable human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.
The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Because they are the highest in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.
Railroad Cancer to be exposed PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that has been affected by PCBs. This could be due to leaks or spills that can be caused by electrical or other equipment.
Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or through their skin. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as Chloracne. Railroad Cancer is small, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that last for months or even years.
However the effects of PCBs on human health aren't fully known. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver and biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to discover the extent to which this impacts us.
The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns. Low birth weight has been linked with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. Two studies showed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or an earlier age.
Lead
Lead is a poisonous metal that is found in a wide range of products, including pipes, paints and food containers. The body can absorb it via two routes: the respiratory and oral.
It is a potent oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals found in the environment. Railroad Cancer Lawyer is able to accumulate in the body, which could cause serious health issues, such as cancer and other illnesses.
Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government for an order to the railroad to clean the site that is contaminated.
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. Residents have claimed that the company has been working to remove the contamination but the plan that was submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.
Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is one of the most grave consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard have more creosote than that recommended for drinking water.
Another issue is the gradual release of creosote in the air. As it escapes, it is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that can be toxic for both children and adults.
It is also possible that the particles are causing cancers among the people who breathe the vapors in. A door-to-door health assessment is being conducted in the area to understand how the vapors affect the lives of residents.
This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a terribly sad situation that needs to be addressed immediately.
A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher among children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.
Homepage: https://bowden-walls.federatedjournals.com/watch-out-how-railroad-cancer-is-taking-over-and-what-you-can-do-about-it-1683468835
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