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10 Railroad Workers That Are Unexpected
Cancer Lawsuits - 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 plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that contamination could still be in the vicinity of residents.


Researchers believe it is due to the high incidence of cancers in the area. Two years after launching an all-state health investigation and a study by researchers, they found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

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

It is a dense oily substance which is black or amber-colored and has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

It is used in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods like fence posts, utility poles, and pilings for marine structures. It is also used to safeguard log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be a chemical that could be dangerous. A short-term exposure could cause irritation of the skin and eyes and chemical burns, stomach discomfort burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver problems.

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum carcinomas. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.

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

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time due to an old rail yard located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes and soil and continues to spread underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test frequently for contamination and take measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

In October of 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes and is causing serious health issues.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to pay the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They also claim that they are victimized by environmental racism and discrimination, and other forms of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals which do not break down quickly in the environment, and they can be found in the soil, air, or sediment for a long duration. They are found in many places in natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration and hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels are not identified yet, there is evidence suggesting that they can trigger serious illnesses such as cancer. People exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to be at a higher risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune system problems, and endocrine changes like hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger hormonal problems, suppressed immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

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

However, it is crucial to remember that the level of exposure that could have negative effects on your health will depend on various factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you drink or eat, and how much air you breathe. It is also essential to consider your gender, age, diet, nutritional status and family characteristics along with other health factors that may affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.

Furthermore, the kind of contaminant is an important aspect. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative effect on human health than others. For instance, 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 harm the immune system and cause problems with the development of healthy teeth, bones, and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right close to their homes. The city's health department reported on Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The announcement said that the results were not encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal 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 industrial and consumer products. After being proven to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

PCBs can cause contamination of soil and water as well as air in many regions of the world once they are released into the environment. They are strong binders for organic matter, and are easily transported and accumulated into the environment.

As a result, PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been found to cause cancer in lab animals.

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

PCBs are most often ingested through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef and other agricultural products.

Another method of being exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is affected by PCBs. This can result from leaks or spills which could be caused by electrical or other equipment.

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

However, the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet fully comprehended. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to discover what this means for us.

EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects for newborns, including lower birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies showed that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or older.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that can be found in many items like paints, pipes and food containers. It is absorbed by the body via two main pathways: oral and respiratory.

It is an extremely antioxidant that can react with other chemicals in the surrounding. This can lead to its accumulation in the body and can lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility are at risk of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to instruct the railroad to cleanse its contaminated site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. Residents claim that the railroad has been working to clean up contamination but the plan that was submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

One of the most important problems that arose from the contamination is the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the area. A recent study conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard contain an increased amount of creosote than that recommended for drinking water.

Another reason to be concerned is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. As it escapes, it is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which are toxic for both children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in those who breathe them. To learn more about the effect of the vapors in the lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It is a sad situation and needs to be resolved immediately.

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 that was five times greater rate than what was expected. Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.

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