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10 Railroad Workers Tricks All Experts Recommend
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 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 could be due to the high rate of cancers in the region. Two years after launching an investigation into health issues across the state and a study by researchers, they found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is one of the most common chemicals employed in the treatment of wood. It is also a harmful substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a bitter taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been in use for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, such as fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings for marine use. It is also used to shield log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote, according to the EPA, is potentially dangerous chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a short periods of time can cause irritation to the eyes and skin as well as chemical burns stomach discomfort, burning of the throat or mouth as well as liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.

Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum cancers. This is a significant concern for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.


It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked to a number of cancers of various types such as esophageal or lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time due to a former rail yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes and continues to spread underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts would like the company to test regularly for contamination and take steps to prevent it from spreading.

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

They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering, as well as damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They claim to have been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other types of pollution that has affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that do not break down in the environment quickly and can remain in the air, in the soil or sediment for a long period. They can be found in many places in natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration and hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels are not yet known but there is evidence that they can cause serious illnesses , such as cancer. People who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to have an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune system issues and endocrine imbalances like hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger problems with hormones, immune suppression as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most prevalent way people are exposed is through water and food. They are not volatile and water-soluble, therefore they are more easily taken in by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat as well as fish and other seafood.

It is important to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins could have a detrimental effect on your health, depending on many factors such as how much you drink, eat and the frequency with which you breathe. You should also consider your gender and age, nutritional status, and family characteristics to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.

The kind of contaminant used is crucial. According to the EPA, some toxins are more harmful than others to human health. For instance, 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 a person's immune system and interfere with the development of healthy teeth and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster of cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated next to their homes. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department said that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples near the rail yard. The release said that the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he plans to sue Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators isn't sufficient in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. After being found to cause cancer and suppress the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

PCBs can cause contamination of soil, water, and air in many parts around the globe after they are released into the environment. They are strong binding agents of organic matter and can be easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.

In the end, PCBs are a major issue for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

In addition certain studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children exposed to these chemicals while pregnant.

PCBs are most commonly consumed through food. Fish are the primary source of exposure since they are the largest source of PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.

Drinking and showering with Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts -contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This could be the result of leaks or spills that occur in electrical or other equipment.

Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or by touching the skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as chloracne which is a small, pale, yellow skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.

However, the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely comprehended. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, but further studies are needed to determine the extent to which this impacts us.

EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns, such as less weight at birth. The low birth weight of newborns is associated with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies revealed that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or a later age.

Lead

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

It is a powerful antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals found in the environment. This can lead to it accumulating within the body. This can cause serious health issues like cancer and other diseases.

In Houston the residents who live close to a creosote-based treatment facility owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to order the railroad to cleanse its toxic site.

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

One of the most significant issues that resulted due to the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the area. A recent study by the health department has shown that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples in the rail yard is greater than the recommended levels for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the slow escape of creosote in the air. It is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that can be harmful for children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in those who breathe them. A door-to-door health survey is being carried out in the neighborhood to understand how the vapors are impacting the residents' lives.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation and it should be addressed immediately.

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

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