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The Reasons Railroad Workers Is Harder Than You Imagine
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 rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the most recent tests have revealed that the contamination may still be affecting people who live nearby.

Researchers say it may be related to elevated cancer rates in the area. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements into a state-wide health investigation, they found higher-than-expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a chemical commonly that is used to treat wood, is also a common one. It is also a dangerous substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.

It is a dense, oily substance that is black or amber-colored and has a smokey odor and burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been in use for more than 150 years as a wood preservative.

It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, such as fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings for marine use. It is also used for protecting log homes and other structures against insects and rot.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is a chemical that could be dangerous. Exposure to it for short periods can cause irritation to the skin and eyes as well as chemical burns, stomach pain and burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver issues.

Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum cancers. This is a significant concern for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

It is considered a probable human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked with a variety of different types of cancer including esophageal and 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 homes, soil and continues to spread underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to stop it from spreading.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit claim that creosote has contaminated their soil and caused serious health issues from the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering and also damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they've suffered the effects of environmental racism discrimination, sexism, and other kinds of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, water soil or in sediment for a long period. They can be found in many 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 could cause serious illnesses like cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune problems, and endocrine issues, including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive issues, a weak immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way that people are exposed to dioxin is through food or drinking water. They aren't water-soluble or volatile, therefore they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of dairy products or fish and other seafood.

It is nevertheless important to remember that the amount of exposure that could have negative effects on your health is dependent on many factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you consume alcohol or food, and how much air you breathe. It is also crucial to take into consideration your gender, age and diet, nutritional status and family characteristics, as well as other health factors that can affect your risk of being affected by dioxins or not.

The kind of contaminant is also important. According to the EPA, some toxins are more harmful than others for human health. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.

PCBs can cause damage to the eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They also can harm the immune system and cause issues with the development of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster cancer deaths linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is next to their homes. The announcement made by the city's health department stated that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The release said that the results were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

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

After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water throughout the world. They are strong binding agents of organic matter that can be easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

As Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit , PCBs are a major concern for the protection of public health and the environment. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals during the pregnancy.

The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This could be due to spills or leaks that may be caused by electrical or other equipment.

People can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or by skin contact. These chemicals can cause a condition called chloracne, which is a mild, small skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.

However the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely recognized. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to understand the extent to which this impacts us.

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or older.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal and can be found in a variety of products, including pipes, paints and food containers. It can be absorbed by the body via two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.

It is an extremely oxidizing chemical and can react with other substances in your environment. This can lead to it accumulating in the body , and could lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other diseases.

In Houston the residents who live near a legacy creosote treatment facility run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to direct the railroad to clean up the site that is contaminated.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contamination of its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, like creosote. The company has tried to eliminate the contamination, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents believe.


One of the most significant problems that stemmed due to the contamination is the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the region. A recent study by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote in soil samples near the rail yard is higher than the recommended levels for drinking water.

Another issue is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. It can cause residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors, which can cause fatalities for children and adults.

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

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation and must be addressed immediately.

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

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