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The Little-Known Benefits Of Railroad Workers
Railroad Cancer Settlement Amounts - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

For decades, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to clean up an underground plume of creosote at its rail yard that is contaminated. 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 state-wide health investigation and they found higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a popular chemical used for the treatment of wood is also a very common one. It can also cause cancer in people who are exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance, amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been in use for over 150 years as an ingredient in 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 against decay and insect infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is an extremely dangerous chemical. Short-term exposure can cause eye and skin irritation, chemical burns, stomach discomfort burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues.

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

It is believed to be a human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked to many types of cancer such as esophageal cancer as well as lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, thanks to a former railroad yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil and is spreading underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination and to take steps to stop it from spreading.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. Railroad Cancer Settlement Amounts claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes and is causing significant health problems.

They are seeking damages from the railroad to help cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim that they have been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other kinds of pollution that have affected their families as well as them.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances which do not break down quickly in the environment and they can remain in the air, water, soil or sediment for an extended duration. They can be derived from many sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin are not known at low levels, but there is evidence that suggests they can cause cancer and other serious illnesses. The 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, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts called chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way people are exposed to dioxin is through food or drinking water. They are not volatile and water-soluble so they are more easily absorbable by the body via the consumption of dairy products, meat, fish, and other seafood.

It is crucial to keep in mind, however, that exposure can cause harm to your health, based on numerous factors such as how much you eat, drink, and how often you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender and age, your diet, and family characteristics to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.

Additionally, the type of contaminant is also an important aspect. According to the EPA certain toxins are more harmful than others to human health. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.

PCBs can cause damage to eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system and cause problems in the development of healthy teeth, bones, and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster of cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right close to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department revealed that they discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples near the rail yard. The release noted that the results were not encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to sue Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan that he submitted to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. PCBs were banned in 1979, after being proven to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and interfere with learning.

PCBs can contaminate soil as well as water and air in many parts of the world once they are released into the environment. They bind strongly to organic matter, and tend to be persistent that means they are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a major issue for the protection of the environment and public health. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA and have been shown to cause cancer in lab animals.

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

The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food. 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 water is another way to be exposed. This could be due to leaks or spills that could be caused by electrical or other equipment.

Railroad Cancer Settlements are also exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or through skin contact. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as Chloracne. This is a mild pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last from several weeks to several years.

The effects of PCBs on human health are still not completely comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However further research is required to better understand how this affects us.

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. 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 highly toxic metal that can be found in many products like paints pipes and food cans. The body absorbs it through two major routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a strong oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals in your surroundings. It can accumulate within the body and could lead to serious health issues like cancer and other ailments.

In Houston the residents who live near a creosote legacy treatment facility owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's assistance in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated facility.

Union Pacific Railroad has a long history of having contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. Residents claim that the railroad has been trying to get rid of the pollution, but the plan submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is one of the most dangerous consequences of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has found that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain an increased amount of creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.

Another issue is the slow evaporation of creosote in the air. It is causing residents to breathe harmful levels of vapors which can be fatal for both children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in those who inhale them. To find out more about the impact of the vapors in the lives of residents, a door-to-door survey is being done in the neighborhood.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a pity and it should be taken care of immediately.

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

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