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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 the underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. Now, the most recent tests show the contamination could continue to affect people who live nearby.
Researchers believe it's due to the high incidence of cancers in the area. Two years after the launch of a state-wide health investigation Researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic and 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 is also a poisonous substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it.
It is a heavy oily substance, amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product and has been in use for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.
It is used in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods like fence posts and utility poles, and marine pilings. Cancer Lawsuits can also be used to protect log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote could be an extremely hazardous chemical. Exposure to creosote for short periods can cause irritation to the eyes and skin as well as chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.
It is considered a probable human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked to many types of cancer, including esophageal as well as lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for years due to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination regularly and adopt preventative measures to stop the spread.
In October of 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil and caused major health issues as a result of the former rail yard.
Cancer Lawsuits are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering, as well as compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They claim they have been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other types of pollution that has affected their families as well as them.
Dioxin
Dioxins are substances that don't break down quickly in the environment and they can be found in the air, water, soil or in sediment for a long time. They are found in a variety of locations in natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes, and incineration or hazardous waste.
Although the effects of dioxin on health in low concentrations aren't known but there is evidence that they can cause serious diseases like cancer. The people who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to be at risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune system problems, and endocrine imbalances like hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues as well as weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts known as chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method that people are exposed dioxin is through drinking water or food. They are not volatile and water-soluble so they are more easily taken in by the body through the intake of dairy products, meat such as fish, as well as other seafood.
It is important to remember, however, that exposure can cause harm to your health based on a variety of factors such as how much you drink, eat, and the frequency you breathe. Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements is also crucial to consider your age, gender as well as your diet, nutritional status and family traits in addition to other health factors that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.
Additionally, the type of contaminant is another important factor. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative effect on human health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs are more likely than creosote to have a negative effect on your health.
PCBs can cause damage to eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They also can harm the immune system of the person and affect the development of healthy teeth and bones.
Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster cancer deaths linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located next to their homes. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department claimed that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The release stated that the findings 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 won't be sufficient.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs, also known as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. These chemicals were banned in 1979 following being proven to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and interfere with learning.
Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in many areas of the world. They are strong binding agents of organic matter and can be easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.
PCBs are a major issue for protecting the environment as well as public health. 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 particularly the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals during the pregnancy.
PCBs are most commonly consumed through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.
Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This could be due to leaks or spills from electrical or other equipment.
People are also exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or by skin contact. These chemicals can cause the condition known as Chloracne. This is a mild, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that last for weeks to years.
However the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet completely understood. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, however more studies are needed to discover how this affects us.
The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. Two studies have shown that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or later in life.
Lead
Lead is a highly toxic metal that can be found in many items, such as paints, pipes and food cans. The body can absorb it via two routes: the respiratory and oral.
It is a powerful antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals in the environment. It is able to accumulate in the body, and can cause serious health issues, such as cancer and other illnesses.
Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to order the railroad to cleanse the site that is contaminated.
Union Pacific Railroad has a long history of having been a source of contamination for its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The railroad has been trying to remove the mess, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents believe.
The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is among the most serious consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has revealed that soil samples taken from the rail yard have an increased amount of creosote than what is required for drinking water.
Another reason to be concerned is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. As it escapes, it causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors which are harmful to children as well as adults.
It is also possible that vapors are causing cancers in the residents who breathe the vapors in. To find out more about the impact of the vapors' effects on 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 needs to be addressed immediately.
A recent study by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a form leukemia at five times greater rate than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these neighborhoods than in other areas of Texas.
Website: http://b3.zcubes.com/v.aspx?mid=11210658
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