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What Is Railroad Workers And Why Is Everyone Talking About It?
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 the underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. The latest tests have shown that the contamination could be affecting residents living nearby.

Researchers believe it's due to the large number of cancers that are found in the area. Two years after launching an investigation across the state on health, researchers 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 popular chemical used for the treatment of wood is also a popular one. It can also cause cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance that's black or amber in appearance and has a smoky scent and a burnt flavor. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.

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 is also used to safeguard log homes and other structures from insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote may be a dangerous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause skin and eye irritation as well as chemical burns stomach discomfort and burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver problems.


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 at risk.

It is believed to be a human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked with a variety of cancers that include esophageal aswell lung cancer.

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

Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test regularly for contamination and take measures to stop it from spreading.

Railroad Cancer Settlements of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil and caused major health issues as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering and damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other costs. They claim they've suffered the effects of environmental racism, discrimination, and other forms of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that don't break down in environment quickly and can remain in the air, the soil of the water, or sediment for a lengthy period. They can be derived from a variety of sources, including natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health aren't clear at low levels, but there is evidence that dioxin may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. Dioxin levels that are higher are linked to a higher risk for heart disease, organ cancers, immune problems, and endocrine disorders, like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal problems, suppressed immunity womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.

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

It is nevertheless important to remember that the level of exposure that can have detrimental effects on your health will depend on various factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you drink or eat and how often you breathe. It is also important to take into consideration your gender, age as well as your diet, nutritional status and family traits along with other health factors that can affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.

The kind of contaminant used is also important. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more dangerous than others for the health of humans. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster of cancer deaths that are that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right close to their homes. The city's health department announced Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The announcement said that the results were not a good sign. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to sue Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. After they were proven to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.

After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil throughout the world. They are strong binding agents of organic matter, and are transported easily and accumulated in the environment.

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

Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children exposed to these chemicals while pregnant.

The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking water is another way to be exposed. This could be caused by leaks or spills in electrical or other equipment.

People can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as Chloracne. This is a mild, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that last for weeks or even years.

However the effects of PCBs on human health aren't fully known. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However, more research is needed to understand how this impacts us.

EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, such as less weight at birth. A low birth weight has been linked to insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or older.

Lead

Lead is a poisonous metal and is present in a variety of products, including paints, pipes and food cans. It is absorbed into the body via two main pathways: oral and respiratory.

It is a powerful oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals in your environment. It can accumulate in the body, which could cause serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.

In Houston, people who live near a creosote treatment facility run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's assistance in cleaning up the railroad's contamination site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of caused harm to its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The company has been working to clean up the contamination, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents believe.

The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is one of the most serious effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples taken from the rail yard have higher levels of creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.

Another issue is that creosote is slowly disappearing into the air. As it is, it is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that are toxic for both children and adults.

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

This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a pity and must be resolved immediately.

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

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