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What Is Railroad Workers And Why Is Everyone Talking About It?
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 up an underground plume contaminated rail yard. The latest tests show that the contamination could still be affecting those who live near.


Researchers suggest it could be due to higher cancer rates in the area. Two years into a health study conducted by the state, they found higher-than-expected rates of childhood leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is one of the most common chemicals that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a dangerous substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.

It is a thick, oily substance that is black or amber-colored and has a smoky smell and burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.

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 safeguard log homes and other structures from insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares creosote is a risky chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause eye and skin irritation chemical burns stomach pain, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems.

Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. Railroad Cancer 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. Railroad Cancer has been linked to several cancers such as esophageal cancer as well as lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote due to a former railroad yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil and is spreading underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test regularly for contamination and to take steps to prevent it from spreading.

In October 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil and caused significant health problems from the former rail yard.

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

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which don't break down in environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, in the soil or in sediment for long periods. They can be derived from diverse sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin are not clear at low levels, however there is evidence that they can cause cancer and other serious diseases. People who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin have been found to be at greater risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system problems and endocrine changes like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal issues, suppressed immunity as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.

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

It is important to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins could affect your health, depending on many factors such as how much you drink, eat, and the frequency you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and age, nutritional status, and family traits to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.

The kind of contaminant is also important. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to cause harm impact on human health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs are more likely than creosote negatively impact your health.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster of cancers that have been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located close to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department stated that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. Railroad Cancer said the findings were not encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

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

PCBs can contaminate soil, water, and air in many areas of the world after they are released into the environment. They bind strongly to organic matter, and are generally persistent that means they are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a major concern for protecting the environment as well as public health. The EPA considers them a potential human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

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

PCBs are most commonly ingested through food. Fish is the primary source of exposure, as they contain the highest amount of PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.

Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This can be caused by leaks or spills from electrical equipment and other.

People can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or by skin contact. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as Chloracne. This is small pale, yellow-colored lesions that may last for months or even years.

The effects of PCBs upon human health are still not fully recognized. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, but more studies are needed to discover what this means for us.

EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, including low birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. 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 is found in many products like paints pipes and food containers. It is absorbed into the body via two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.

It is a potent oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals present in the environment. This can cause it to accumulate within the body. This can cause serious health issues such as cancer and other illnesses.

Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote legacy plant have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's assistance in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated 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 for humans, such as creosote. The company has tried to eliminate the mess, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents claim.

The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is among the most grave consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard contain higher levels of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.

Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is the slow escape of creosote into the atmosphere. It causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which can be fatal for children and adults.

It is also possible that vapors are causing cancers in the residents who are breathing the vapors. To learn more about the effect of the vapors in 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. It's a sad state of affairs and it should be taken care of immediately.

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

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