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15 Interesting Facts About Railroad Workers You Didn't Know
Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

For decades, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to remove creosote in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the latest tests suggest that the contamination could still be affecting people who live nearby.

Researchers believe it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years into a state health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical, is used to treat wood. It is also a poisonous substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.

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

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote may be a dangerous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause irritation of the skin and eyes and chemical burns, stomach pain and burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver problems.

Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Railroad Cancer who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.

It is considered a probable human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked with various cancers that include esophageal aswell lung cancer.

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

Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to prevent the spread.

In October of 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. 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 for their illnesses and suffering and also damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They claim they've been affected by environmental racism discrimination, sexism, and other types of pollution that has affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that do not degrade quickly in the environment, and they can stay in the air, water, soil or sediment for an extended time. They are found in a variety of locations such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration as well as hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health in low concentrations aren't identified but there is evidence that they could cause serious illnesses such as cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked with an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune issues, and endocrine issues, including hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger hormonal issues, weakened immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way that people are exposed dioxin is through drinking or eating. They are not water-soluble or volatile, therefore they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish and other seafood.

It is vital to remember that exposure to dioxins can cause harm to your health, depending on many factors such as how much you drink, eat and the frequency you breathe. It is also important to take into consideration your age, gender and diet, nutritional status and family characteristics, as well as other health factors that may determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.

In addition, the type of contaminant is an important aspect. According to the EPA, some toxins are more dangerous than others to the health of humans. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.

PCBs can cause damage to eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also harm the immune system and cause problems in the development of healthy teeth, bones and bones.

For years, residents in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a cluster of cancer deaths that has been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their neighborhoods. The city's health department said on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The release stated that the results were not encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for over 60 years. After they were proven to cause cancer and suppress the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.

Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water across the world. They are strong binders for organic matter and can be easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

This is why PCBs are a major issue for the protection of public health and the environment. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been found to cause cancer in lab animals.

Furthermore, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.

The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs, fish is the main source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This can result from leaks or spills that can occur in electrical and other equipment.

People are also exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as chloracne which is a mild, small yellow skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years.

However the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet completely recognized. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or the biliary tract cancers in humans, however more studies are needed to discover how this impacts us.

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborn babies. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. Two studies found that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or a later age.

Lead

Lead is a highly toxic metal that can be found in a variety of items, such as paints, pipes and food containers. The body absorbs it via two routes: respiratory and oral.

It is a powerful oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals in the surrounding. This can lead to it accumulating in the body , and could cause serious health issues like cancer, among other illnesses.

In Houston residents living near a creosote treatment plant run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. Railroad Cancer Lawyer has asked for the federal government's assistance in the cleanup of the railroad's contamination site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a long history of having caused harm to its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents say that the company has been working to eliminate the contamination, but the plan presented to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

One of the biggest problems that arose from the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the region. A recent study conducted by health officials has found that soil samples from the rail yard contain a higher concentration of creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.

Another issue is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. As it does, it causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that can be dangerous for children and adults.

It is also possible that fumes are causing cancers to the residents who breathe the vapors in. A door-to-door health survey is being conducted in the area to discover more about how the vapors are impacting the lives of the residents.


This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very sad situation that needs to be addressed 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 was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.

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