Notes

An Guide To Railroad Workers In 2023
Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn't done enough to clean up an underground plume that is contaminated rail yard. Recent tests have revealed that contamination could still be an issue for residents living nearby.

Researchers say it may be due to higher cancer rates in the area. Two years after launching an investigation across the state on health the researchers discovered that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

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

It is a dense oily substance that's black or amber in color and has a smokey odor and a burnt flavor. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.

It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods like fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings for marine structures. It can also be used to protect log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is an extremely dangerous chemical. The exposure to creosote over short periods of time can cause skin and eye irritation chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of mouth or throat, kidney or liver problems, and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.

It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen, according to the EPA. It has been linked with a variety kinds of cancers including esophageal as well as lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time due to a former rail yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil and is spreading underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the initiative to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test frequently for contamination and take steps to prevent the spread of the disease.

Railroad Cancer Lawsuit of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes , causing significant health issues.

They are seeking damages from the railroad to cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they've suffered the effects of environmental racism and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which do not break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, water soil or in sediment for a long period. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements can be found in a variety places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration and hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin are not clear at low levels, but there is evidence that suggests they may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease, immune problems, and endocrine issues, like hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes, hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts called chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most frequent way people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking or eating. They are not volatile and water-soluble, therefore they are more easily absorbed by the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products as well as fish and other seafood.

But it is important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that has negative effects on your health depends on numerous factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you drink or eat and the amount of air you breathe. It is also essential to consider your gender, age, diet, nutritional status and family characteristics along with other health factors that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.

The type of contaminant crucial. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more harmful than others for the health of humans. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote to affect 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 development of healthy teeth, bones and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancer deaths that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated close to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department claimed that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The release noted that the results were not a good sign. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

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


PCBs can infect soil as well as water and air in many regions of the world after they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter and are often persistent that means they are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

As a result, PCBs are a major issue for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA considers them to be a possible human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

In addition certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children exposed to these chemicals while pregnant.

PCBs are mainly consumed through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs, fish is the main source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Another way to be exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that has been contaminated with PCBs. This can happen from leaks or spills that can occur in electrical and other equipment.

Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through the skin. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as chloracne which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions which can last for weeks or even years.

The effects of PCBs on human health are still not fully known. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to understand the extent to which this impacts us.

EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects for newborns, including lower birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. In two studies, children 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 and is found in many products, such as pipes, paints and food cans. The body can absorb it through two routes: respiratory and oral.

It is an extremely antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals present in the environment. It is able to accumulate in the body, which can cause serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.

In Houston, people who live near a creosote treatment plant run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. Railroad Cancer has asked the federal government to instruct the railroad to clean up its contaminated site.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having its rail yard contaminated in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic for humans, such as creosote. The company has been trying to get rid of the mess, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents claim.

One of the major issues that resulted from the contamination was the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the area. A recent study conducted by the health department has revealed that the concentration of creosote in soil samples around the rail yard is greater than the recommended levels for drinking water.

Another major concern is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. As it escapes, it causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that are harmful for children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in people who inhale them. To learn more about the effects of the vapors on lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.

This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a sad state of affairs and must be dealt with immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study found that the rate of leukemia was five times higher in children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.

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