Notes

15 Unexpected Facts About Railroad Workers That You've Never Heard Of
Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

For decades, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to clean up creosote in the underground air at its contaminated rail yard. Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts have revealed that the contamination may still be affecting those who live nearby.

Researchers believe it's due to the high number of cancers in the area. Two years into a state health investigation, they found 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, a common chemical, is used in the treatment of wood. It can cause cancer in people who are exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance that's black or amber in appearance and has a smoky smell and burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years to preserve wood.

It is used in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, including fence posts, utility poles, and pilings from marine construction. It can also be used to guard log homes and other structures against insects and rot.

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

Long-term exposure to the sun can 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 believed to be a human carcinogen, according to the EPA. It has been linked with several cancers, including esophageal as well as lung cancer.

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

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

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

They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering and also compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They claim they've been affected by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

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


Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels aren't well-studied yet, there is evidence suggesting that they can trigger serious diseases like cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked with an increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease, immune problems, and endocrine issues, including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to problems with hormones, immune suppression as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most popular way people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They are not liquid or volatile, which means 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 be aware that the amount of exposure that could have adverse effects on your health is contingent upon several factors, such as the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you consume alcohol or food, and how often you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family characteristics to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.

The kind of contaminant used is equally important. According to the EPA certain toxins are more dangerous than others for human health. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.

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 bones, teeth, and bones.

For years, residents in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a rash of cancer-related deaths that has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their neighborhoods. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department stated that it found cancer-causing chemicals on surfaces near the rail yard. The release stated that the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to sue Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan that he submitted to Texas environmental regulators will not be adequate given the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. After being shown to cause cancer and suppress the immune system PCBs were banned in 1979.

When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil across the world. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and are often persistent that means they are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a major issue to protect the environment and public health. Railroad Workers are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in lab animals.

Additionally, Cancer Lawsuit have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals during the pregnancy.

Cancer Lawsuit for exposure to PCBs is through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs, fish is the main source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.

Another way to be exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that has been polluted with PCBs. This could be caused by leaks or spills in electrical and other equipment.

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

The effects of PCBs upon human health are not fully comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they could cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However further research is required to better understand how this impacts us.

EPA has also been investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects for newborns, including low birth weight. Low birth weight is associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in life. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or an earlier 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 main routes: respiratory and oral.

It is a potent oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals in your environment. This could cause it to build up in the body and can cause serious health issues like cancer, among other diseases.

In Houston the residents who live near a legacy creosote treatment plant run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's help 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 for humans, such as creosote. The company has been working to eliminate the mess, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents believe.

The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is among the most dangerous consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has revealed that soil samples taken from the rail yard have higher levels of creosote than what is required for drinking water.

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

It is also possible that particles are causing cancers among the residents who breathe the vapors. To learn more about the impact of the vapors 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 tragic situation that must be addressed 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 neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than in other areas of Texas.

Homepage: https://lara-fallesen-2.thoughtlanes.net/lung-cancer-lawsuit-settlements-explained-in-fewer-than-140-characters-1682174291