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20 Railroad Workers Websites That Are Taking The Internet By Storm
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 contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that the contamination may be affecting residents living nearby.

Researchers say it may be related to elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years into a state health investigation and they found higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical, is employed in the treatment of wood. It is also a poisonous substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance, amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. Railroad Cancer is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.

It is employed in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods, like fence posts and utility poles, and pilings for marine structures. It is also used for protecting log homes and other structures against decay and insect infestation.


The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote can be a hazardous chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a brief periods may cause skin and eye irritation as well as chemical burns stomach discomfort, burning of the throat or mouth, kidney or liver problems, and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. This is a significant concern for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

It is considered a probable human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked with a variety of different cancer types including esophageal and lung cancer.

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

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the effort to sue 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, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused serious health problems as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering and damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They also claim to be affected by environmental racism and discrimination and other types of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, the soil of the water or sediment for a lengthy period. They can be derived from various sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin are unclear at low levels, however there is evidence that suggests they can trigger cancer and other serious illnesses. Dioxin levels that are higher are linked to a higher risk for organ cancers, heart disease, immune problems, and endocrine problems, like hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger problems with hormones, immune suppression 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 aren't volatile nor water-soluble, therefore they are more easily to be absorbed by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat fish, and other seafood.

It is important to remember, however, that exposure can affect your health, depending on many factors such as how much you eat, drink, and the frequency with which you breathe. You should also consider your gender and age, your diet, and family characteristics to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.

In addition, the form of contaminant is another important factor. The EPA states that certain toxic substances are more likely to have a damaging impact on human health than others. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.

PCBs can cause damage to eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also harm the immune system of a person, and interfere with the development of healthy teeth and bones.

For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a series of cancer-related deaths that has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their communities. The announcement made by the city's health department stated that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples near the rail yard. The release stated that the results were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit were banned in 1979 after they were found to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and impair learning.

Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in many areas of the world. They bind strongly to organic matter and are generally persistent which means they are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a significant concern to protect the environment and public health. The EPA considers them a potential human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during pregnancy.

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

Showering and drinking water is another method of exposure. Railroad Cancer Lawyer can be caused by leaks or spills in electrical or other equipment.

People are also exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin contact. These chemicals can cause a condition called Chloracne. This is a mild pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last for weeks or even years.

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

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. A low birth weight is associated with 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 of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or a later age.

Lead

Lead is a poisonous metal that is found in many products, such as pipes, paints and food containers. The body can absorb it via two routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a powerful antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals found in the environment. It is able to accumulate in the body, and could lead to serious health issues such as cancer and other diseases.

In Houston, people who live near a legacy creosote treatment plant run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has asked the federal government to instruct the railroad to cleanse its toxic site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents say that the company has been trying to remove the contamination but the plan presented to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

One of the most significant problems that stemmed from the contamination was the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the region. A recent study conducted by health officials has revealed that soil samples from the rail yard contain higher levels of creosote than that recommended for drinking water.

Another concern is that creosote is slowly disappearing into the air. It is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that can be toxic for both children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer for those who inhale them. To find out more about the effects of the vapors in the lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being done in the neighborhood.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation that needs to be dealt with immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher among children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.

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