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The One Railroad Workers Trick Every Person Should Be Aware Of
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 underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. And now, the latest tests suggest that the contamination could still be affecting people who live near.

Researchers believe it's due to the high incidence of cancers that are found in the area. Two years into a health inspection by the state they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

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

It is a dense, oily substance that is black or amber in color and has a smokey odor and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years to preserve wood.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other types of wood including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to shield log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is a chemical that could be dangerous. Exposure to creosote for short periods can result in skin and eye irritation and 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 carcinomas. This is a significant concern for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA it is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to various cancers that include esophageal aswell as lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote thanks to a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and continues to spread underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to stop it from spreading.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and causing serious health problems.

They are seeking damages from the railroad to cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They also claim to be affected by environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other types of pollution that have impacted them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that don't break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, in the soil, or sediment for a lengthy period. They can be derived from various sources, including natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health in low concentrations aren't well-studied however, there is evidence to suggest that they can trigger serious illnesses , such as cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune disorders, and endocrine disorders, like hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal problems, suppressed 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 to dioxin is through drinking water or food. They aren't volatile or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

However, it is important to be aware that the amount of exposure that could have detrimental effects on your health will depend on many factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat and how much you breathe. It is also essential to consider your gender, age as well as your diet, nutritional status and family characteristics and other health factors that may determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.

The kind of contaminant used is also important. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more dangerous than others to the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs are more likely than creosote to affect your health.

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

For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a string of cancer deaths that has been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their communities. The city's health department announced on Friday that it found cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The announcement said that the results were not a good sign. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he plans to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal submitted to Texas environmental regulators won't be adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are harmful chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. These substances were banned in 1979 after being found to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and hinder learning.

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

Therefore, PCBs are a major concern for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

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

The main 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 found in dairy products, beef and other agricultural products.


Another way to be exposed PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that has been contaminated with PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spillages in electrical or other equipment.

People are also exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or skin contact. These chemicals can trigger a condition called Chloracne. This is small pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that may last for weeks to years.

The effects of PCBs on human health are not fully known. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver and biliary tract cancers in humans, but more studies are needed to determine how this affects us.

EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects for newborns, including lower birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. 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 can be found in many items like paints, pipes and food cans. The body absorbs it through two main routes: respiratory and oral.

It is a potent oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals in your environment. This can lead to it accumulating within the body and cause serious health issues like cancer and other illnesses.

In railroad lawsuit settlements who live close to a creosote-based treatment facility run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the assistance of the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated facility.

Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of been a source of contamination for its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The company has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents claim.

One of the major problems that resulted due to the contamination is the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the area. A recent study by health officials has revealed that soil samples from the rail yard have a higher concentration of creosote than that recommended for drinking water.

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

It is also possible that the fumes are causing cancers to the residents who are breathing them in. A door-to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the area to find out more about the effects of the vapors on the residents' lives.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a sad state of affairs and it should be addressed immediately.

A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a type leukemia that was five times higher rate than expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.

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