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Railroad Workers - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn't done enough to clean the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. And now, the latest tests suggest that the contamination could continue to affect people who live nearby.

Researchers believe it could be linked to the increased cancer rates in the region. Two years after the launch of an investigation across the state on health and a study by researchers, they found that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote which is a common chemical used in the treatment of wood is also a very common one. It is also a poisonous substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.

It is employed in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, like fence posts, utility poles, and pilings for marine structures. It is also used to protect log homes and other structures against rot and insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states creosote is a dangerous chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for Cancer Lawsuits can cause irritation to the eyes and skin chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of the throat or mouth, kidney or liver 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 and other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.

It is believed to be a human carcinogen, according to the EPA. It has been linked with several cancers, including esophageal as well lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades 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 the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to prevent the spread.

In October of 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil and caused serious health problems as a result of 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 costs. They also claim that they are suffering from environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that has adversely affected their families and friends.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that don't break down quickly in the environment and can remain in the air, water, or sediment for a lengthy period of. They can be found in diverse sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health in low concentrations aren't yet known however, there is evidence to suggest that they can cause serious diseases like cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune issues, and endocrine issues including 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 method that people are exposed to dioxin is through food or drinking water. They aren't volatile and water-soluble, so they are easily absorbable by the body via the intake of dairy products, meat such as fish, as well as other seafood.

But it is important to remember that the amount of exposure that will have detrimental effects on your health will depend on several factors, such as the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat and the amount of air you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and age, nutritional status, and family characteristics to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.

Furthermore, the kind of contaminant is an important aspect. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more harmful than others for human health. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to cause harm to your health.

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

For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a series of cancer-related deaths which has been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their communities. The city's health department reported on Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The release 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 proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are harmful chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. These substances were banned in 1979 following they were found to cause cancer, suppress the immune system and inhibit learning.

PCBs can contaminate soil or water as well as air in many parts around the globe after they are released into the environment. They are strong binders of organic matter, and are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

Therefore, PCBs are a major issue for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA considers them a potential human carcinogen and has shown that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Furthermore certain studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who are exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

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

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

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

However the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet fully recognized. Researchers have suggested that they could cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However it is necessary to conduct more research to determine how this affects us.

EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, like lower birth weight. Low birth weight is associated with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases 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 toxic metal and is found in many products, such as paints, pipes and food cans. It is absorbed into the body via two main pathways: oral and respiratory.

It is a powerful antioxidant that can react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It is able to accumulate in the body, which could lead to serious health issues, such as cancer and other illnesses.

Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant are at a high risk of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to order the railroad to remove its 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 to humans, including creosote. Railroad Workers have claimed that the company has been working to get rid of the pollution, but the plan that was submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

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

Another cause for concern is the slow release of creosote into the atmosphere. It is causing residents to inhale toxic levels of vapors which can be fatal for children as well as adults.

It is also possible that vapors are causing cancers in the residents who are breathing the vapors. To learn more about the effects of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents, a door-to-door survey is being conducted in the neighborhood.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very sad situation that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.


A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a type of leukemia at a five-fold higher rate than expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.

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