Notes

This Is The History Of Railroad Workers In 10 Milestones
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 remove creosote in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the most recent tests show the contamination could continue to affect those who live near.

Researchers believe it could be due to higher cancer rates in the region. Two years after launching an investigation into health issues across the state Researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the area surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical, is that is used in the treatment of wood. It can cause cancer in people exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance that's black or amber in color and has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product that has been in use for over 150 years as a 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 shield log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.

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

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancers. This is a serious issue for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked with a variety of different types of cancer including esophageal and lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades due to an old rail yard located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil and is spreading underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests frequently for contamination and take measures to stop it from spreading.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes , causing significant health problems.

They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering as well as damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They also claim to be harmed by environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other forms of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin


Dioxins are substances that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly and can remain in the air, in the soil, or sediment for a long period. They can be found in many sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are not clear at low levels, however there is evidence that they may cause cancer as well as other serious diseases. Patients who are exposed at higher levels of dioxin have been found to be at risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system problems and endocrine issues such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger problems with hormones, immune suppression as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most prevalent way people are exposed to the toxins is through food and water. They are not volatile or water-soluble, therefore they are more easily absorbable by the body via the intake of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

It is important to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins could affect your health, based on numerous factors , including how much you drink, eat, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also essential to consider your age, gender and diet, nutritional status and family characteristics in addition to other health factors that may affect your risk of being affected by dioxins or not.

The type of contaminant is also crucial. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to cause harm effect on the human body than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs are more likely than creosote negatively impact your health.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster of cancers that have been caused by the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right close to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department said that it found cancer-causing chemicals on samples of the rail yard. The release stated that the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal submitted to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be adequate given the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

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.

When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water throughout the world. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and are generally persistent that means they are easy to transport and build up in the environment.

As a result, PCBs are a major threat for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been proven to cause cancer in lab animals.

In addition certain studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children who have been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.

Another way to get exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been polluted with PCBs. This can be caused by spills or leaks that may be caused by electrical or other equipment.

Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or through the skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as Chloracne. It is a small, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that last for months or even years.

However the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet fully known. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or the biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to determine how this impacts us.

The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborn babies. Railroad Workers And Cancer has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. 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, including pipes, paints and food cans. The body absorbs it via two routes: respiratory and oral.

It is a strong chemical that can oxidize and react with other chemicals in your surroundings. It can accumulate within the body, which can lead to serious health problems like cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy are at risk of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to instruct the railroad to clean up its contaminated facility.

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

The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is among the most severe consequences of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard contain more creosote than is recommended for drinking water.

Another concern is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. As it does, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors which are toxic for both children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in people who inhale them. A door-to-door health assessment is being carried out in the neighborhood to understand how the vapors affect the residents' lives.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It is a sad situation and it should be resolved immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates 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 these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.

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