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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 up an underground plume that is contaminated rail yard. The latest tests suggest that the contamination could continue to affect people who live nearby.
Researchers believe it's due to the large number of cancers found in the region. Two years into a health inspection by the state the researchers found higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote, a common chemical that is used to treat wood is also a very common one. It is also a cause of cancer in those exposed to it.
It is a dense, oily substance that is black or amber in appearance and has a smokey odor and a burnt flavor. It is a coal tar distillation product that has been in use for over 150 years as a wood preservative.
It is used in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods like fence posts and utility poles, and pilings for marine structures. It is also used to shield log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is an extremely dangerous chemical. The exposure to creosote over short periods can result in irritation to the eyes and skin, chemical burns stomach pains, burning of mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues and even permanent damage.
Railroad Workers -term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.
According to the EPA the EPA, it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. 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 a long time to creosote due to a railroad yard close to their homes. They claim the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests frequently for contamination and take steps to prevent it from spreading.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and is causing significant health issues.
They are seeking compensation from the railroad in order to cover the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They also claim to be harmed by environmental racism and discrimination and other kinds of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.
Dioxin
Dioxins are a class of chemicals that aren't able to break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, in the soil or sediment for long periods. They are found in many places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke, and incineration or hazardous waste.
The health effects of dioxin are unclear at low levels, however there is evidence that suggests they can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. People exposed to higher levels are believed to be at a higher risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system problems and endocrine issues including hormonal imbalances. Railroad Workers can also cause hormonal problems, suppressed immunity womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most popular way people are exposed is through water and food. They aren't water-soluble or volatile, therefore they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of dairy products or fish and other seafood.
Cancer Lawsuit is vital to remember, however, that exposure to chemicals can cause harm to your health, based on numerous factors like how much you drink, eat and how often you breathe. It is also crucial to take into consideration your gender, age as well as your diet, nutritional status and family traits, as well as other health factors that could influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.
Additionally, the type of contaminant is another important factor. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to have a damaging effect on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.
PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They also can harm the immune system and cause issues with the growth of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.
For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a cluster of cancer-related deaths which has been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their neighborhoods. The announcement made by the city's health department stated that it found cancer-causing chemicals on surfaces near the rail yard. The announcement said 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 will not be adequate in light of the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. After they were proven to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.
Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in a variety of areas around the world. They are strong binding agents of organic matter that can be easily transported and accumulated in the environment.
PCBs are a major issue for the protection of the environment and public health. The EPA considers them to be a possible human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in lab animals.
In addition, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who are exposed to PCBs in the womb.
PCBs are most commonly ingested through food items. Fish is the most common source of exposure since they are the source of the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.
Another way to get exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is contaminated with PCBs. This could be due to leaks or spills that could occur in electrical and other equipment.
Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or by touching the skin. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as chloracne which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions which can last from weeks to years.
The effects of PCBs upon human health are still not completely comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to determine how this impacts us.
The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. A low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. Two studies showed that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or an earlier age.
Lead
Lead is a toxic metal and can be found in a variety of products, including pipes, paints, and food cans. The body absorbs it through two major routes: respiratory and oral.
It is a potent chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other substances in your environment. It can accumulate within the body and could lead to serious health issues like cancer and other ailments.
Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility are at risk of cancer. The city has asked for the assistance of the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated site.
Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having caused harm to its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. Residents say that the company has been working to eliminate the contamination, but the plan submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.
One of the most important problems that arose due to the contamination is the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the region. A recent study conducted by health officials has found that soil samples from the rail yard have more creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.
Another issue is the slow release of creosote from the atmosphere. It is causing residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors, which could cause death for both children and adults.
It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in those who breathe them. To learn more about the impact of the vapors in the lives of residents there is a door-to door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.
This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a terribly sad situation that must be addressed as soon as possible.
Cancer Lawsuits by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a type leukemia at a five times greater rate than what was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.
Read More: https://controlc.com/3c17d552
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