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10 Railroad Workers Tricks Experts Recommend
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 up an underground plume that is contaminated rail yard. The latest tests show the contamination could still be affecting those who live nearby.

Researchers believe it could be due to the high incidence of cancers that are found in the area. Two years into a state-wide health investigation, they found higher-than-expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

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

It is a thick oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a bitter taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years to preserve wood.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other types of wood including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It can also be used to protect log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states creosote is a hazardous chemical. The exposure to creosote over short periods of time can cause irritation to the eyes and skin and chemical burns stomach discomfort, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems and even permanent damage.

Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum carcinomas. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.

It is considered a probable human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked with various cancers such as esophageal cancer as well lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades, thanks to an old rail yard located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil, and continues to spread underground.


Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination and to take steps to stop the spread of the disease.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and causing significant health problems.

They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering and damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleaning and other related costs. Railroad Cancer claim they are victimized by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other types of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that do not break down quickly in the environment, and can remain in the soil, air, water or sediment for an extended time. They are found in a variety of locations, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration and hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin are unclear at low levels, however there is evidence that dioxin may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked with an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune disorders, and endocrine disorders, including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes, hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts called chloracne.

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

It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure to chemicals can cause harm to your health depending on many aspects, such as the amount you drink, eat, and the frequency with which you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family traits to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.

The kind of contaminant used is crucial. According to the EPA certain toxins are more dangerous than others for the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs are more likely than creosote to negatively impact your health.

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

For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a cluster of cancer deaths that have been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their communities. The city's health department reported on Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The release stated that the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators will not be adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

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

Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil throughout the world. They are extremely binders to organic matter and tend to remain in the environment for a long time that means they are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

As a result, PCBs are a major threat for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been proven to cause cancer in lab animals.

In addition certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children exposed these chemicals in the womb.

The most common route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.

Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This can be caused by leaks or spills from electrical and other equipment.

People are also exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or through skin contact. These chemicals can cause the condition known as Chloracne. This is a tiny pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that may last for months or even years.

The effects of PCBs on human health are still not completely comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However further research is required to discover how this affects us.

EPA is also studying whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns, including low birth weight. Low birth weight has been linked with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in life. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or an earlier age.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal and is present in many products, such as paints, pipes and food cans. The body absorbs it via two routes: the respiratory and oral.

It is a potent oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals in your environment. It can accumulate in the body, which could lead to serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote legacy plant are at a high risk of cancer. The city has asked the federal government for an order to 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. Residents have claimed that the company has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but the proposal submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

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 found that soil samples from the rail yard contain an increased amount of creosote than what is required for drinking water.

Another reason to be concerned is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. As it does, it causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors, which are dangerous for children and adults.

It is also possible that gases are causing cancers in the residents who breathe them in. To find out more about the effect of the vapors on lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being done in the neighborhood.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It is a sad situation and needs to be dealt with immediately.

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

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