Notes

How To Determine If You're Set To Go After Railroad Workers
Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn't done enough to clean the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that contamination could still be affecting residents living nearby.

Researchers believe that it could be due to the high rate of cancers that are found in the area. Two years into a health inspection by the state they discovered higher than expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

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

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

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other kinds of wood, including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It can also be used for protecting log structures and homes against rot and insect infestation.

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

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

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

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote thanks to a former railroad yard close to their homes. They claim the chemical has affected their homes as well as their soil, and it continues to spread underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to prevent the spread.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil under their homes and causing serious health issues.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They claim to have been harmed by environmental racism, discrimination, and other types of pollution that has affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which don't break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, in the soil or in sediment for long periods. They are found in many places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration as well as hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are not clear at low levels, however there is evidence that dioxin can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked with an increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease immune issues, and endocrine disorders, like hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal issues, weakened immunity as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way that people are exposed dioxin is through food or drinking water. They aren't volatile or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of dairy products or fish and other seafood.

However, it is crucial to remember that the level of exposure that could have adverse effects on your health is contingent upon various factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you consume alcohol or food, and how much air you breathe. It is also crucial to take into consideration your gender, age, diet, nutritional status and family characteristics, as well as other health factors that could determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.

The kind of contaminant is also crucial. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more harmful than others for the health of humans. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.


PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system and cause issues with the growth of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.

For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a rash of cancer deaths that have been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department said that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples near the rail yard. The release noted 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 proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. These chemicals were banned in 1979, after being discovered to cause cancer, suppress the immune system and inhibit learning.

Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil throughout the world. They are strong binders of organic matter that can be easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

As a result, PCBs are a major concern for the protection of public health and the environment. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Some studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals while during the pregnancy.

PCBs are mainly consumed through food. Fish is the most common source of exposure, since they contain the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef, 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 be caused by leaks or spills that occur in electrical equipment and other.

People may also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or by skin contact. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as chloracne which is small, pale yellow skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years.

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

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. Low birth weight has been linked to insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in life. Two studies have shown that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or a later age.

Lead

Lead is a poisonous metal and can be found in a variety of products, including pipes, paints and food cans. The body can absorb it via two routes: respiratory and oral.

It is a strong oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals present in the environment. It can accumulate in the body, and can cause serious health problems like cancer and other diseases.

In Houston, people who live near a creosote legacy treatment facility owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to direct the railroad to cleanse its toxic site.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, such as creosote. Residents claim that the railroad has been working to clean up contamination but the plan that was submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is among the most dangerous effects of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has revealed that soil samples from the rail yard contain an increased amount of creosote than that recommended for drinking water.

railway settlement calculator to be concerned is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. It is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which could cause death for children as well as adults.

It is also possible that vapors are causing cancers in those who breathe the vapors. To learn more about the effect of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being done in the neighborhood.

This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It is a sad situation and must be taken care of immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates were five times higher among children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in these areas than in other areas of Texas.

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