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5 Railroad Workers Lessons Learned From Professionals
Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

For decades, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to clean up creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that contamination could still be impacting residents living near.

Researchers believe it could be due to the high rate of cancers in the region. Two years after launching an all-state health investigation Researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a common chemical used to treat wood. It can cause cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a dense, oily substance that is amber or black in color and has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.


In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other types of wood, including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to safeguard log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is an extremely dangerous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause eye and skin irritation as well as chemical burns stomach pain and burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver issues.

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

It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen, according to 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 located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil, and continues to spread underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test regularly for contamination and to take steps to stop the spread of the disease.

In October 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil and caused serious health problems as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering and also damages from railroads for the cost of cleaning and other costs. They also claim to be victimized by environmental racism and discrimination, in addition to other forms of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals which do not break down quickly in the environment, and they can stay in the air, water, soil or sediment for a long duration. They can be found in a variety of sources, including natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin aren't clear at low levels, but there is evidence that dioxin can trigger cancer and other serious illnesses. The people who are exposed to higher levels have been found to be at risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system disorders and endocrine issues such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes as well as hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts called chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most popular way people are exposed to the toxins is through food and water. They are not water-soluble or volatile, therefore they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products or fish and other seafood.

It is important to remember, however, that exposure to chemicals can be detrimental to your health depending on many factors such as how much you drink, eat, and how often you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender, age and nutrition status, as well as diet and family characteristics, as well as other health factors that may determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.

In addition, the form of contaminant is also an important factor. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more harmful than others to human health. Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote have a negative effect on your health.

For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They can also harm the immune system of a person, and interfere with the growth of healthy teeth and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster of cancers that have been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right next to their homes. The city's health department reported on Friday that it has found cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The announcement said that the results were not a good sign. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan presented to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in consumer and industrial products. After being found to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.

Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in many areas of the world. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and are often persistent which means they are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

Therefore, PCBs are a major issue for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA is adamant that they are a carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

Additionally, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

PCBs are most commonly consumed through food. Because they are the highest in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.

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

People can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can trigger a condition called chloracne, which is a tiny, pale skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.

However the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely understood. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or the biliary tract cancers among humans, but more studies are needed to discover how this impacts us.

EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns, like lower birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. 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 toxic metal and can be found in a wide range of products, including pipes, paints, and food cans. The body absorbs it through two routes: oral and respiratory.

It is an extremely chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other chemicals in your environment. This can lead to its accumulation in the body , and could lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other illnesses.

Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote legacy plant are at risk of cancer. The city has asked for assistance from the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated facility.

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

The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is among the most grave consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the department of health shows that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples from the rail yard is higher than the recommended levels for drinking water.

Another concern is the slow escape of creosote from the atmosphere. It is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which could cause death for children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in people who breathe them. A door-to-door health assessment is being conducted in the area to learn more about how the vapors affect the lives of residents.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a pity and needs to be dealt with immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study found that the rate of leukemia was five times higher in children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than in other areas of Texas.

Read More: https://www.bethany.top/question-how-much-do-you-know-about-union-pacific-lawsuit-settlements/