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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. The most recent tests have shown that the contamination may be in the vicinity of residents.
Researchers believe it could be due to the large number of cancers found in the region. Two years after the launch of an investigation into health issues across the state the researchers discovered that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is a popular chemical used to treat wood is also a popular one. It is also a dangerous substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.
It is a dense oily substance which is black or amber in color and has a smokey odor and burnt taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.
It is used in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, including fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings from marine construction. It is also used to shield log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be potentially dangerous chemical. The exposure to creosote over short periods of time can cause skin and eye irritation, chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues, and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.
It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked with a variety of cancers of various types such as esophageal or lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades, thanks to a former rail yard near their homes. The chemical is said to have caused soil and homes to be contaminated and continues to spread throughout the underground.
The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the initiative to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to prevent the spread.
In October of 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil under their homes and causing serious health problems.
They are seeking compensation from the railroad in order to cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they have suffered the effects of environmental racism and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.
Dioxin
Dioxins are a class of chemicals that do not degrade quickly in the environment, and they can stay in the air, water, or sediment for a long period of. They are found in a variety of locations, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarette smoke, and incineration or hazardous waste.
Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels aren't identified yet, there is evidence suggesting that they can cause serious illnesses , such as cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune issues, and endocrine issues, like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues, hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts known as chloracne.
According to the U.S. Railroad Workers (USEPA), the most prevalent way people are exposed is through food and water. 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 or fish and other seafood.
It is vital to remember, however, that exposure can have a detrimental effect on your health, based on numerous aspects, such as the amount you drink, eat, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender and age, your diet, and family characteristics to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.
Additionally, the type of contaminant can be an important aspect. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging impact on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.
For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They also can harm the immune system of a person and hinder the growth of healthy teeth and bones.
For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a string of cancer-related deaths which has been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their communities. The announcement made by the city's health department claimed that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The release stated that the results were not encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal presented to Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient in light of the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and household products for more than 60 years. These chemicals were banned in 1979 after they were found to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and hinder learning.
Cancer Lawsuit can contaminate soil as well as water and air in a variety of regions around the globe after they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and tend to be persistent which means they are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.
PCBs are a major problem for protecting the environment and public health. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been found to cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Additionally, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals during pregnancy.
The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food items. Fish is the main source of exposure, since they are the source of the most PCBs. But, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.
Another way to be exposed PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is infected with PCBs. This can result from leaks or spills which could occur in electrical and other equipment.
Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through skin. These chemicals can cause a condition called chloracne, which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions which can last from weeks to years.
However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully known. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However it is necessary to conduct more research to understand how this impacts us.
The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns. A low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies have shown that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or older.
Lead
Lead is a highly toxic metal that is present in a variety of products, such as paints, pipes, and food cans. It is absorbed into the body through two main routes: respiratory and oral.
It is a powerful antioxidant that can react with other chemicals found in the environment. It can build up in the body, and can lead to serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.
Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to order the railroad to remove its contaminated site.
Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Cancer Lawsuit has been trying to remove the contamination, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents claim.
Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements of the major problems that resulted due to the contamination is the groundwater plume beneath homes in the region. A recent study conducted by the health department has shown that the concentration of creosote in soil samples from the rail yard is higher than the levels recommended for drinking water.
Another concern is the slow release of creosote into the atmosphere. It is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors, which are harmful for children as well as adults.
It is also possible that fumes are causing cancers to the people who breathe the vapors. To learn more about the effects 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. This is a tragic situation that needs to be addressed immediately.
A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a type leukemia at a five-fold higher rate than expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.
Homepage: https://cicadathread84.doodlekit.com/blog/entry/25327216/the-3-greatest-moments-in-cancer-lawsuit-history
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