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8 Tips To Increase Your Railroad Workers Game
Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn’t taken the necessary steps to clean the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. The most recent tests have shown that the contamination could be in the vicinity of residents.

Researchers believe it could be due to the high incidence of cancers found in the region. Two years into a state health investigation, they found higher-than-expected rates of childhood leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote which is a common chemical that is used to treat wood is also a popular one. It is also a toxic substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.

It is used in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, including fence posts, utility poles, and pilings from marine construction. It is also used to guard log homes and other structures against decay and insect infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be a potentially dangerous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause eye and skin irritation, chemical burns, stomach discomfort and burning in the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver problems.

Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum carcinomas. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.

According to the EPA it is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a number of different cancer types, including esophageal and lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, thanks to a former railroad yard right next to their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and is spreading underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test frequently for contamination and take measures to stop the spread of the disease.

In October of 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil, causing significant health issues as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering and damages from railroads for the cost of cleaning and other costs. They claim they have been affected by environmental racism, discrimination, and other kinds of pollution that have affected their families as well as them.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that do not break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, soil or sediment for a long period. They are found in a variety of places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin are not known at low levels, however there is evidence that suggests they may cause cancer as well as other serious diseases. Patients who are exposed at higher levels have been found to be at greater risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system disorders and endocrine disorders such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive issues, a weak immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes, hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts, known as chloracne.

According to how did the railroads affect the settlement of the west . Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking water or food. They are not volatile or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of dairy products or fish and other seafood.

It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure to dioxins can cause harm to your health, based on numerous factors like how much you eat, drink, and how often you breathe. It is also crucial to consider your age, gender and diet, nutritional status and family traits, as well as other health factors that may affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.

The type of contaminant also important. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging effect on human health than others. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to affect your health.

PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system and cause problems in the development of healthy teeth, bones and bones.

For years, residents in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a cluster of cancer-related deaths which has been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their neighborhoods. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department revealed that they had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples near the rail yard. The release stated that the results 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 will not suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. After being found to cause cancer and suppress the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.


PCBs can cause contamination of soil as well as water and air in many regions of the world once they are released into the environment. They are strong binding agents of organic matter that can be easily transported and accumulated into the environment.

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

Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during pregnancy.

The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Another way to be exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been polluted with PCBs. This could be the result of leaks or spills from electrical or other equipment.

People are also exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin contact. These chemicals can cause an illness known as chloracne which is a mild, small skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.

The effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully understood. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers among humans, however more studies are needed to understand what this means for us.

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies have shown that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or a later age.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that is found in many products, such as paints, pipes, and food cans. The body can absorb it through two major routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a powerful antioxidant and can react with other chemicals present in the environment. It can build up in the body, and could cause serious health issues like cancer and other ailments.

In Houston the residents who live near a creosote treatment facility run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's assistance in the cleanup of the railroad's toxic site.

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

The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is one of the most dangerous consequences of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has found that soil samples from the rail yard have a higher concentration of creosote than what is required for drinking water.

Another issue is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. As it is, it causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors which are harmful to children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in those who inhale them. To find out more about the impact of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents, a door-to-door survey is being done in the neighborhood.

This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a terribly sad situation that needs to be dealt with immediately.

A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a form of leukemia at five times more frequently than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in these neighborhoods than in other areas of Texas.

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