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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?
For decades, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to remove creosote in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. Recent tests have revealed that contamination is still in the vicinity of residents.
Researchers say it may be related to the elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years into a state health investigation and they found higher than expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote, a common chemical, is employed in the treatment of wood. It is also a harmful substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.
It is a heavy, oily substance that is amber or black in color and has a smoky odor and a burnt flavor. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.
It is used in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, such as fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings for marine structures. It is also used to shield log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote can be a dangerous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause irritation of the skin and eyes, chemical burns, stomach pain burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver issues.
Long-term exposure may 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 Railroad Workers is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to several cancers that include esophageal aswell as lung cancer.
Railroad Workers have been exposed for a long time to creosote due 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 is spreading underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test regularly for contamination and to take steps to prevent the spread of the disease.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil, causing significant health issues as a result of the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering as well as damages from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They also claim to be suffering from environmental racism and discrimination, and other forms of pollution that has impacted them and their families.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemical compounds that do not break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, the soil of the water, or sediment for a long time. They can come from a variety of sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.
The effects of dioxin on health are unclear at low levels, however there is evidence that they can trigger cancer and other serious illnesses. Patients who are exposed at higher levels of dioxin are found to have an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune system issues and endocrine disorders, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal problems, suppressed immunity womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most popular way that people are exposed dioxin is through drinking water or food. They are not volatile or water-soluble, therefore they are more easily absorbed by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat, fish, and other seafood.
It is vital to remember, however, that exposure to chemicals can cause harm to your health based on a variety of factors like how much you drink, eat, and the frequency with which you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and age, nutritional status, and family traits to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.
The kind of contaminant used is crucial. According to the EPA certain toxins are more dangerous than others to human health. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.
For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They can also damage 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 cluster of cancers that have been that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right close to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department claimed that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples near the rail yard. The release said that the results were "not encouraging." 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 will not be sufficient in light of the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs, also known as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. After being proven to cause cancer and weaken the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.
Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water throughout the world. They bind strongly to organic matter, and tend to be persistent, meaning they are relatively simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.
As Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements , PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of public health and the environment. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA, and have been found to cause cancer in lab animals.
Additionally, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during pregnancy.
PCBs are most commonly consumed through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.
Another way to get exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is polluted with PCBs. This could be caused by leaks or spills in electrical or other equipment.
Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or by touching the skin. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as Chloracne. It is a small pale, yellow-colored lesions that last for several weeks to several years.
However, the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they could cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However further research is required to discover how this impacts us.
The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborn babies. Low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. In two studies, children 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 poisonous metal and can be found in a wide range of products, including pipes, paints and food containers. The body absorbs it via two routes: oral and respiratory.
It is a potent oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals present in the environment. This can cause it to accumulate in the body and can lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other diseases.
In Houston residents living near a creosote legacy treatment facility run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested assistance from the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contamination site.
Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. Residents claim that the company has been working to get rid of the pollution, but the proposal submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.
One of the biggest problems that stemmed due to the contamination is the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the area. A recent study conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard have an increased amount of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.
Another reason to be concerned is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. It is causing residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors, which could be fatal for both children and adults.
It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in those who inhale them. A door-to-door health assessment is being conducted in the area to learn more about how the vapors affect the residents' lives.
This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation and must be taken care of 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 prevalent in these areas than in other areas of Texas.
Read More: https://williamson-stokes.thoughtlanes.net/learn-what-railroad-workers-tricks-the-celebs-are-utilizing-1682186377
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