Notes

Five Railroad Workers Lessons From The Pros
Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn't done enough to clean the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. The most recent tests have shown that the contamination may be impacting residents living near.

Researchers believe it could be due to the large number of cancers that are found in the area. Two years into a health study conducted by the state the researchers found higher than anticipated rates of childhood leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a common chemical employed in the treatment of wood. It can also cause cancer in people who are exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance that's amber or black in color and has a smoky odor and burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product and has been used for over 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 to safeguard log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote may be a dangerous chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a short periods can result in irritation to the eyes and skin as well as chemical burns stomach discomfort, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues and even permanent damage.

Exposure for long periods can lead to skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious concern for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked with a variety of cancers such as esophageal cancer as well lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for years due to an old rail yard close to their homes. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements say the chemical has affected their homes as well as their soil, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination and to take measures 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 has contaminated their soil and caused serious health issues from the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering and damages from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other associated costs. They claim they are harmed by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that have impacted them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals that don't break down in environment quickly , and can remain in the air, the soil of the water or in sediment for long periods. They are found in a variety of locations, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarettes, and incineration or hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't well-studied yet, there is evidence suggesting that they could cause serious illnesses like cancer. People who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to have an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune system problems, and endocrine issues like hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a weakened 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 to the toxins is through water and food. Csx Lawsuit Settlements are not volatile or water-soluble, which means they are more easily taken in by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat such as fish, as well as other seafood.

But it is important to remember that the amount of exposure that can have adverse effects on your health will depend on several factors, such as the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you eat or drink and how often you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, your diet, and family traits to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.

Additionally, the type of contaminant is an important factor. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to have a negative impact on health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to affect your health.

PCBs can cause damage to eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also harm the immune system of the person and hinder the growth of healthy teeth and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster of cancer deaths caused by the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located next to their homes. The city's health department announced on Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The announcement said the findings were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. After being shown to cause cancer and weaken 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 bind strongly to organic matter, and are generally persistent that means they are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a major concern for protecting the environment as well as public health. The EPA considers them a potential human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Additionally, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals while pregnant.

The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Fish is the main source of exposure since they contain the most PCBs. But, Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Another way to be exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that has been polluted with PCBs. This could be the result of leaks or spills that occur in electrical and other equipment.

Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or through the skin. These chemicals can cause a condition called chloracne, which is a mild, small skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.

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

EPA is also studying whether these chemicals cause birth defects in newborns, like low birth weight. Railroad Cancer Settlements is associated with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in life. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or older.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that can be found in many products including paints, pipes, and food cans. The body can absorb it via two routes: respiratory and oral.

It is a strong antioxidant and can react with other chemicals present in the environment. This can lead to it accumulating in the body , and could lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other illnesses.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's legacy creosote plant have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked the federal government for an order to the railroad to cleanse its contaminated facility.


The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having its rail yard contaminated 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 get rid of the pollution, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

One of the most important problems that resulted due to the contamination is the groundwater plume under the homes in the area. A recent study by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples in the rail yard is more than the recommended level for drinking water.

Another major concern is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. It causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that are harmful for children as well as adults.

It is also possible that vapors are causing cancers in the people who breathe the vapors in. A door-to-door health assessment is being conducted in the area to learn more about how the vapors are impacting the lives of residents.

This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a sad state of affairs and should be dealt with immediately.

A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children living 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 prevalent in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.

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