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Why Everyone Is Talking About Railroad Workers Right Now
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 clean up the creosote sludge that is buried at its contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have shown that contamination could still be in the vicinity of residents.

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

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical, is used in the treatment of wood. It can cause cancer in those who are exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.

It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods, such as fence posts, utility poles, and pilings for marine structures. It can also be used to guard log structures and homes from decay and insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states creosote is an extremely hazardous chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for short periods can result in irritation to the eyes and skin chemical burns stomach pains, burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum tumors. This is a major concern for those who come into 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 many types of cancer, including esophageal as well as lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years, thanks to an old rail yard close to their homes. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil, and continues to spread underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test frequently for contamination and take steps to prevent the spread of the disease.

In October of 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating soil under their homes and causing significant health problems.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to help cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They also claim that they are affected by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that has impacted them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which don't break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, the soil of the water, or sediment for a long period. They can be found in many places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin are unclear at low levels, but there is evidence to suggest that they can cause cancer and other serious diseases. People who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin have been found to have an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune system issues and endocrine imbalances including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause problems with hormones, immune suppression womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most frequent way people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking or eating. They aren't volatile or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of dairy products or fish and other seafood.

However, it is crucial to remember that the amount of exposure that has detrimental effects on your health is dependent on many factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you consume alcohol or food, and how often you breathe. You should also consider your gender and age, nutritional status, and family characteristics to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.

Additionally, Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit of contaminant is also an important factor. The EPA states that certain toxic substances are more likely to have a negative effect on the human body than others. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.


For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They can also affect the immune system and cause issues with 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 that are caused by the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated next to their homes. The city's health department reported on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The release noted that the results were not encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he plans to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. PCBs were banned in 1979 following they were found to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and interfere with learning.

Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in many areas of the world. They bind strongly to organic matter and tend to remain in the environment for a long time, meaning they are relatively easy to transport and build up in the environment.

PCBs are a major concern to protect the environment and public health. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been shown to cause cancer in lab animals.

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

The most common route for exposure to PCBs is through food items. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is the primary source of exposure since they contain the highest amount of PCBs. However, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Another method of being exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been infected with PCBs. This could be due to leaks or spills that occur in electrical or other equipment.

Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin. These chemicals can trigger a condition called chloracne, which is small, pale, yellow skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.

However the effects of PCBs on human health aren't fully known. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver or the biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to understand how this impacts us.

The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborn babies. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular disease. In two studies, children who were 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 and is found in a variety of products, including paints, pipes and food containers. It is absorbed by the body via two main pathways: oral and respiratory.

It is an extremely antioxidant and can react with other chemicals found in the environment. It can accumulate within the body, which can cause serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.

In Houston the residents who live close to a creosote-based treatment plant run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the assistance of the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated facility.

Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents have claimed that the company has been working to remove the contamination but the plan presented to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

One of the most significant problems that resulted due to the contamination is the groundwater plume beneath homes in the region. A recent study conducted by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples in the rail yard is much higher than the level recommended for drinking water.

Another major concern is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. It is causing residents to breathe harmful levels of vapors which can be fatal for both children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer for those who breathe them. A door-to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the neighborhood to understand how the vapors affect the residents' lives.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very tragic situation that must 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 was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.

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