Notes

How To Tell If You're At The Right Level To Go After Railroad Workers
Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

For decades, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to clean up creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its contaminated rail yard. And now, the most recent tests suggest that the contamination could still be affecting those who live nearby.

Researchers say it may be related to the elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years after the launch of a state-wide health investigation Researchers found that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a popular chemical used to treat wood is also a popular one. It can cause 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. It is a distillation of coal product and has been in use for over 150 years as a wood preservative.

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

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is an extremely dangerous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause irritation of the skin and eyes and chemical burns, stomach pain and burning in the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver problems.

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

It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked to a variety of cancers that include esophageal aswell lung cancer.

Union Pacific Cancer Cluster have been exposed for a long time to creosote thanks to a former railroad yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil and continues to spread underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test regularly for contamination and to take measures to stop the spread of the disease.

In October 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused serious health issues as a result of the former rail yard.

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

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that aren't able to break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, soil, or sediment for long periods. They can come from various sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are unclear at low levels, but there is evidence that suggests they can cause cancer and other serious illnesses. The people who are exposed to higher levels are believed to have an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system problems and endocrine imbalances including hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive issues, a weak immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues, hair loss, weight gain 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 nor water-soluble, so they are easily to be absorbed by the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products fish, and other seafood.

However, it is important to remember that the amount of exposure that has negative effects on your health is dependent on various factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you drink or eat, and how much you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender, age, diet, nutritional status and family traits in addition to other factors in your health that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.

Additionally, the type of contaminant is also an important aspect. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to cause harm impact on health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, are more likely than creosote negatively impact your health.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster of cancers that have been that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is next to their homes. The city's health department said on Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The release stated that the findings were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in industrial and consumer products. These substances were banned in 1979 after being found to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and interfere with learning.

PCBs can contaminate soil or water as well as air in many areas of the world once they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter and are often persistent and therefore, are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

This is why PCBs are a major threat for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been shown to cause cancer in lab animals.

Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

PCBs are most commonly ingested through food items. Fish are 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.

Another method of being exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been affected by PCBs. This could be the result of leaks or spillages in electrical equipment and other.

People may also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is a mild pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last for months or even years.

The effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they could cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However it is necessary to conduct more research to discover how this affects us.

EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, like lower birth weight. Low birth weight is associated with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases 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 can be found in many items, such as paints, pipes, and food cans. It can be absorbed by the body via two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.

It is a powerful oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals in your surroundings. This can lead to its accumulation within the body and lead to serious health problems like cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to instruct the railroad to clean up its toxic site.

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

One of the biggest problems that arose due to the contamination is the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the area. A recent study by health officials has revealed that soil samples from the rail yard contain more creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the slow escape of creosote in the air. As it is, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that can be toxic for both children and adults.

It is also possible that fumes are causing cancers to the residents who breathe the vapors in. Union Pacific Cancer Cluster -to-door health survey is being conducted in the area to discover more about how the vapors impact the lives of the residents.


This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. Railroad Workers Cancer is a terribly sad situation that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a form leukemia at a five-fold higher rate than the average. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.

Read More: https://te.legra.ph/5-Railroad-Workers-Projects-For-Every-Budget-05-03