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Railroad Workers: Myths And Facts Behind Railroad Workers
Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn't taken the necessary steps to clean the underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. The latest tests have shown that the contamination could be an issue for residents living nearby.

Researchers believe it could be related to elevated cancer rates in the region. Two years after launching a state-wide health investigation, researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the area surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical used to treat wood is also a typical one. It is also a poisonous substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance that's black or amber in color and has a smokey odor and a burnt taste. Railroad Cancer Lawyer is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years to preserve wood.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other types of wood including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It can also be used to protect log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states creosote is a hazardous chemical. The exposure to creosote over short periods can result in skin and eye irritation, chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues, and even permanent damage.

Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum cancers. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.

It is believed to be a human carcinogen according to 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 a long time to creosote because of a former railroad yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes, and continues to spread 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 implement preventative measures to prevent the spread.

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

They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering and damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They also claim that they are harmed by environmental racism and discrimination, and other forms of pollution that has adversely affected their families and friends.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals that do not break down quickly in the environment and they can be found in the air, water, or sediment for a long time. They can be derived from many sources, including natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels are not yet known but there is evidence that they can trigger serious illnesses , such as cancer. 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 changes including hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger hormonal issues, weakened immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most prevalent way people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They are not volatile or water-soluble, which means they are more easily absorbed by the body through the intake of dairy products, meat fish, and other seafood.

It is vital to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins could cause harm to your health, depending on many aspects, such as the amount you drink, eat and how often you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender, age, nutrition, and family characteristics to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.

Additionally, the type of contaminant is another important aspect. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to have a damaging effect on the human body than others. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.

PCBs can cause damage to the eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system and cause problems with the growth of healthy bones, teeth and bones.

For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a cluster of cancer deaths that have been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their communities. The city's health department announced on Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The announcement said the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to sue Union Pacific over the matter and also said that a plan presented to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

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

PCBs can cause contamination of soil or water as well as air in a variety of regions of the world after they are released into the environment. They bind strongly to organic matter and tend to remain in the environment for a long time that means they are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a major issue for protecting the environment as well as public health. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been found to cause cancer in lab animals.

Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially true 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 be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.


Drinking and showering with PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This could be due to leaks or spills that could be caused by electrical or other equipment.

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

However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely understood. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver or the biliary tract cancers among humans, but further research is needed to find out 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 has been linked to insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. In two studies, children who were 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 that can be found in many items like paints pipes and food cans. The body absorbs it through two main routes: oral and respiratory.

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

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote legacy plant have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's assistance in the cleanup of the railroad's contamination site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has caused harm to its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The company has been working to remove the mess, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents say.

One of the major problems that resulted from the contamination is the groundwater plume under the homes in the area. A recent study conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard have a higher concentration of creosote than what is required for drinking water.

Another concern is that creosote is slowly disappearing into the air. As it escapes, it causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that can be harmful for children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in those who inhale them. To learn more about the effects of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents there is a door-to door survey being done in the neighborhood.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a sad state of affairs and needs to be taken care of immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates were five times higher among children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens areas than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.

Here's my website: https://sites.google.com/view/railroadcancersettlements