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Railroad Workers 101: It's The Complete Guide For Beginners
Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn't taken the necessary steps to clean up an underground plume contaminated rail yard. And now, the most recent tests suggest that the contamination could continue to affect people who live nearby.

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

Creosote

Creosote is a popular chemical used for the treatment of wood is also a very common one. It is also a harmful substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.

It is a dense, oily substance that is black or amber in appearance and has a smokey odor and a burnt flavor. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.

It is used in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods, like fence posts, utility poles, and pilings from marine construction. It is also used to protect log houses and other structures from rot and insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares creosote is a risky chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a short periods can cause irritation to the eyes and skin as well as chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues, and even permanent damage.

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

It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked with a variety 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 close to their homes. They say the chemical has affected their homes and soil and continues to spread throughout the underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the initiative to sue Union Pacific in federal court. Cancer Lawsuits are demanding that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and implement preventative measures to prevent the spread.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil and caused significant health problems from the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering and damages from railroads for the cost of cleaning and other costs. They claim they've been harmed by environmental racism, discrimination, and other kinds of pollution that have affected their families as well as them.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that don't break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, water soil, or sediment for long periods. They can be found in a variety places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are not clear at low levels, however there is evidence that suggests they may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers immune disorders, and endocrine disorders, like hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger hormonal issues, suppressed immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

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

It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure can have a detrimental effect on your health, based on numerous factors such as how much you drink, eat and how often you breathe. It is also crucial to consider your gender, age and diet, nutritional status and family characteristics, as well as other factors in your health that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.

The kind of contaminant is also crucial. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to cause harm impact on health than others. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster of cancer deaths linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements is close to their homes. The announcement made by the city's health department revealed that they found cancer-causing chemicals on surfaces near the rail yard. The release stated that the results were not a good sign. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. They were banned in 1979, after they were found to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and impair learning.

After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in many areas of the world. They bind strongly to organic matter and tend to be persistent that means they are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.


Therefore, PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.

The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food. 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 and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This could be due to leaks or spills that occur in electrical or other equipment.

In the same way, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through their skin. These chemicals can trigger a condition called Chloracne. This is a tiny, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that may last for weeks to years.

The effects of PCBs on human health are not completely recognized. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to better understand how this affects us.

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns. Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular disease. 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 that is found in many products including paints, pipes and food cans. It can be absorbed by the body via two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is an extremely chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other substances in your environment. It is able to accumulate in the body, which can cause serious health problems like cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's assistance in the cleanup of the railroad's toxic site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The railroad has been trying to remove the contamination, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents claim.

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

Another cause for concern is the slow escape of creosote in the air. It causes residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which could be fatal for children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in those who inhale them. To find out more about the impact of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents there is a door-to door survey being done in the neighborhood.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a sad state of affairs and it should be dealt with immediately.

A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a type of leukemia at a five-fold more frequently than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.

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