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The Reasons Why Railroad Workers Is Everyone's Obsession In 2023
Union Pacific Houston Cancer - 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 up an underground plume that is contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that the contamination may be impacting residents living near.

Researchers believe it is due to the large number of cancers that are found in the area. Two years after launching an investigation across the state on health the researchers discovered that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the area surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a popular chemical that is used to treat wood, is also a common one. It is also a dangerous substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.

It is a dense oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product that has been in use for more than 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

It is employed in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods, like fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings from marine construction. It can also be used to guard log structures and homes from decay and insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares creosote is a dangerous chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for short periods can cause irritation to the eyes and skin and chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of mouth or throat, kidney or liver problems, and even permanent damage.

Exposure for long periods can lead to skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.

According to the EPA the EPA, it is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a number of different types of cancer including esophageal and lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote due to a railroad yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes and soil, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the initiative to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination regularly and adopt preventative measures to stop the spread.

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

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

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which aren't able to break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, in the soil or in sediment for a long period. They can come from diverse sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels are not well-studied but there is evidence that they could cause serious diseases like cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked with an increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease immune disorders, and endocrine issues, including hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger hormonal issues, weakened immunity and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

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 or water-soluble so they are more easily to be absorbed by the body through the intake of dairy products, meat such as fish, as well as other seafood.

But it is important to be aware that the amount of exposure that can have a harmful effect on your health is dependent on many factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you drink or eat and how much air you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family traits to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.

The type of contaminant is equally important. The EPA states that certain toxic substances are more likely to cause harm effect on the human body than others. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.

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

For years, residents in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a string of cancer deaths that has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their communities. The announcement made by the city's health department stated that it found cancer-causing chemicals on surfaces near the rail yard. The release stated 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 presented to Texas environmental regulators isn't sufficient in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. After being found to cause cancer and suppress the immune system 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 strong binders for organic matter that can be easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

In the end, PCBs are a major issue for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA considers them a probable carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.

PCBs are most often ingested through food. Fish is the main source of exposure because they contain the highest amount of PCBs. But, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.

Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. Union Pacific Cancer could be the result of leaks or spills in electrical and other equipment.

Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or by touching the skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as chloracne which is a tiny, pale skin lesions that can last from a few weeks to a few years.


However the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet completely comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However, more research is needed to determine how this impacts us.

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or later in life.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that is present in a variety of products, such as paints, pipes and food containers. The body can absorb it via two routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a strong antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals found in the environment. It is able to accumulate in the body, which can cause serious health issues, such as cancer and other diseases.

In Houston, people who live near a creosote treatment facility owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's help in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated facility.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of polluting its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, like creosote. Residents claim that the railroad has been trying to get rid of the pollution, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

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

Another concern is the gradual release of creosote to the atmosphere. It causes residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which can cause fatalities for both children and adults.

It is also possible that the fumes are causing cancers to those who breathe them in. To find out more about the impact of the vapors on the lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It is a sad situation and needs to be taken care of 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 times higher rate than expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.

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