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Guide To Railroad Workers In 2023 Guide To Railroad Workers In 2023
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 remove the creosote sludge that is buried at its contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have shown that contamination is still in the vicinity of residents.

Researchers believe it is due to the high number of cancers that are found in the area. Two years after the launch of an all-state health investigation, researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a common chemical used to treat wood. It can cause cancer in those who are exposed to it.

It is a heavy, oily substance that is black or amber in appearance and has a smoky smell 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 and other types of wood including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to protect log structures and homes from insects and rot.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is an extremely dangerous chemical. The exposure to creosote over short periods can cause irritation to the eyes and skin as well as chemical burns stomach discomfort, burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems and even permanent damage.

Exposure for long periods can lead to skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.

It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked with a variety kinds of cancers such as esophageal or lung cancer.

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

Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and implement preventative measures to prevent the spread.

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 to pay the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They claim they have been affected by environmental racism, discrimination, and other forms of pollution that affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, in the soil or in sediment for long periods. They can be found in diverse sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels are not known but there is evidence that they can trigger serious illnesses like cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked with an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune disorders, and endocrine issues like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause problems with hormones, immune suppression womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most frequent way that people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble so they are more easily absorbable by the body via the intake of dairy products, meat, fish, and other seafood.

However, it is crucial to be aware that the amount of exposure that will have a harmful effect on your health is dependent on several factors, such as the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you drink or eat and the amount of air you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family traits to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.

Additionally, the type of contaminant is also an important factor. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging impact on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster of cancer deaths that are caused by the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated next to their homes. The city's health department announced Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The announcement said that the results were not encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. Railroad Workers were banned in 1979 after they were found to cause cancer, suppress the immune system and inhibit learning.

PCBs can infect soil, water, and air in many regions around the globe after they are released into the environment. They are strong binding agents of organic matter, and are transported easily and accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a significant concern for protecting the environment and public health. They are deemed to be 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 particularly true for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during the pregnancy.

PCBs are mainly consumed through food. Fish is the main source of exposure, as they contain the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking water is another method of exposure. This could be caused by leaks or spills that occur in electrical and other equipment.

In the same way, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as chloracne which is a mild, small, yellow skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years.

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

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborn babies. The low birth weight of newborns is associated with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. Two studies found that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or older.


Lead

Lead is a highly toxic metal that can be present in a variety of products including paints, pipes, and food cans. The body can absorb it through two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is an extremely antioxidant and can react with other chemicals in the surrounding. This can lead to its accumulation within the body and cause serious health issues like cancer and other diseases.

In Houston, people who live near a creosote treatment plant owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to direct the railroad to remove the site that is contaminated.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having caused harm to its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. Residents have claimed that the company has been working to eliminate the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

One of the major problems that resulted due to the contamination is the groundwater plume under the homes in the region. A recent study conducted by health officials has revealed that soil samples from the rail yard have more creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the slow evaporation of creosote in the air. As it does, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that are toxic for both children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer for those who breathe them. A door-to-door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to find out more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of the residents.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It is a sad situation and should be resolved immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher for children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.

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