Notes

10 Railroad Workers Tricks All Experts Recommend
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 an underground plume of creosote at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the latest tests have revealed that the contamination may still be affecting those who live near.

Researchers believe it could be due to the high incidence of cancers in the area. Two years into a health study conducted by the state and they found higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote which is a common chemical that is used to treat wood is also a very common one. It can cause cancer in those who are exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.

It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods, like fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings from marine construction. It can also be used to guard log houses and other structures from the effects of rot and insect invasion.

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

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum carcinomas. This is a significant concern for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to several cancers such as esophageal cancer as well as lung cancer.

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

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

In October of 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil and caused major health problems as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering as well as damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They also claim to be suffering from environmental racism and discrimination, and other forms of pollution that has adversely affected their families and friends.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that don't break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, the soil of the water or in sediment for a long period. They can be found in many sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin aren't 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 are believed to be at a higher risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune system problems, and endocrine issues such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes and hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts called chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most frequent way people are exposed to dioxin is through food or drinking water. They are not water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products or fish and other seafood.

It is important to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins could be detrimental to your health based on a variety of aspects, such as the amount you drink, eat, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also important to consider your age, gender as well as your diet, nutritional status and family characteristics, as well as other health factors that could affect your risk of being affected by dioxins or not.

The type of contaminant is also important. According to the EPA certain toxins are more dangerous than others for the health of humans. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is next to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department revealed that they had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples near the rail yard. The announcement said the results were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he plans to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be sufficient in light of the findings.


Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. These substances were banned in 1979 after being discovered to cause cancer, weaken the immune system and inhibit learning.

PCBs can contaminate soil as well as water and air in many parts of the globe once they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter and are often persistent and therefore, are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a significant concern for protecting the environment as well as public health. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

Some studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children exposed these chemicals in the womb.

The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.

Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This can be caused by leaks or spills that occur in electrical equipment and other.

In the same way, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or through skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as Chloracne. This is a tiny pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that may last for weeks to years.

However, the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely recognized. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, however more studies are needed to determine how this affects us.

EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns, like low birth weight. Low birth weight has been associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in the course of. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or an earlier age.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal and is found in a wide range of products, including paints, pipes, and food cans. The body can absorb it through two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a potent antioxidant that can react with other chemicals present in the environment. This can cause it to accumulate within the body. This can lead to serious health problems like cancer, among other ailments.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked for assistance from the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated facility.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic for humans, such as creosote. Residents claim that the company has been trying to get rid of the pollution, but the plan that was submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

One of the major issues that resulted due to the contamination is the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the region. A recent study by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard have an increased amount of creosote than what is required for drinking water.

Another issue is that creosote is slowly disappearing into the air. It causes residents to breathe harmful levels of vapors which can cause fatalities for both children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer for those who inhale them. To learn more about the effect of the vapors on lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being done in the neighborhood.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation and should be dealt with immediately.

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

Read More: https://sites.google.com/view/railroadcancersettlements