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10 Healthy Railroad Workers Habits
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 the creosote sludge that is buried at its contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have shown that the contamination may be affecting residents living nearby.

Researchers believe it's due to the high number of cancers found in the region. Two years into a state health investigation the researchers found higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a popular chemical used for the treatment of wood is also a very common one. It is also a toxic substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.

It is a dense oily substance that's black or amber-colored and has a smoky scent and a burnt flavor. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preservative.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other kinds of wood including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It can also be used for protecting log structures and homes from the effects of rot and insect invasion.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares creosote is a risky chemical. The exposure to creosote over short periods of time can cause skin and eye irritation and chemical burns stomach pains, burning of the throat or mouth, kidney or liver problems and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. Cancer Lawsuit is a serious issue for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

According to Cancer Lawsuits , it is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to several cancers, including esophageal as well as lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote due to a former railroad yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and continues to spread underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the effort to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test regularly for contamination and take steps to stop it from spreading.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil, causing significant health issues from the former rail yard.

They are seeking damages from the railroad to pay the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They also claim to be victimized by environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other forms of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals that do not degrade quickly in the environment and they can remain in the air, water, or sediment for a lengthy duration. They can be found in many places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration and hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin aren't clear at low levels, but there is evidence that dioxin can cause cancer and other serious illnesses. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune problems, and endocrine problems, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues as well as hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most frequent way that people are exposed is through water and food. They aren't volatile and water-soluble, so they are easily to be absorbed by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat fish, and other seafood.


But it is important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that could have adverse effects on your health is contingent upon many factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you eat or drink and how often you breathe. It is also crucial to consider your age, gender and nutrition status, as well as diet and family characteristics and other health factors that may influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.

The type of contaminant is crucial. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative effect on the human body than others. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (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 damage the immune system and cause problems with the development of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.

For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a series of cancer-related deaths which has been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department said that it found cancer-causing chemicals on samples of the surface near the rail yard. The release noted 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 also said that a plan that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for over 60 years. After being found to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system PCBs were banned in 1979.

When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in a variety of areas around the world. They are extremely binders to organic matter and are often persistent that means they are easy to transport and build up in the environment.

PCBs are a significant concern for the protection of the environment and public health. The EPA is adamant that they are a carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs Fish is the primary 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 can be caused by leaks or spills that can occur in electrical and other equipment.

People are also exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin contact. These chemicals can cause the condition known as Chloracne. It is a small, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last for weeks to years.

However, the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet fully understood. Researchers have suggested that they could cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to better understand how this impacts us.

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies have shown that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or a later age.

Lead

Lead is a poisonous metal and can be found in many products, such as paints, pipes and food containers. The body can absorb it through two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is an extremely oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals found in the environment. This can cause it to accumulate in the body , and could lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other illnesses.

In Houston the residents who live near a legacy creosote treatment facility owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government for an order to the railroad to remove its contaminated site.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of polluting its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, including creosote. Residents claim that the railroad has been working to clean up contamination but the plan that was submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

One of the most significant problems that stemmed from the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the region. A recent study conducted by the health department has revealed that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples in the rail yard is greater than the recommended level for drinking water.

Another concern is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. It causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which could cause death 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 currently being carried out in the neighborhood to find out more about how the vapors are impacting the lives of residents.

This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very sad situation that must be addressed as soon as possible.

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

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