Notes

The Often Unknown Benefits Of Railroad Workers
Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

For decades, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to remove creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that the contamination may be impacting residents living near.

Researchers believe that it could be due to the high rate of cancers in the area. Two years after launching a state-wide health investigation, researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

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

It is a dense oily substance that's amber or black in color and has a smoky smell and a burnt flavor. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.

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

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

Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious issue for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA It is a possible human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with several cancers, including esophageal as well lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote due to a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. The chemical is said to have affected their homes as well as their soil and continues to spread throughout the underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to prevent the spread.

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 problems as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering and also damages from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other costs. They claim to have been harmed by racism in the environment and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that affected their families as well as them.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that do not break down quickly in the environment and they can remain in the soil, air, water or sediment for a lengthy time. They can be found in a variety 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, there is evidence that they can trigger serious illnesses , such as cancer. Patients who are exposed at higher levels have been found to be at a higher risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system problems and endocrine issues like hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes and weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts called chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most popular way that people are exposed dioxin is through drinking water or food. They aren't water-soluble or volatile, 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, however, that exposure to dioxins can be detrimental to your health, based on numerous factors such as how much you eat, drink, and the frequency with which you breathe. You should also consider your gender and age, nutritional status, and family characteristics to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.

Additionally, the type of contaminant is also an important aspect. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more dangerous than others to the health of humans. 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 also can harm a person's immune system and affect the development of healthy bones and teeth.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster of cancers that have been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located close to their homes. Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts made by the city's health department revealed that they found cancer-causing chemicals on surfaces near the rail yard. The announcement said the findings were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. After being proven to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

PCBs can infect soil, water, and air in many regions of the globe once they are released into the environment. They are strong binders for organic matter, and are easily transported and accumulated into the environment.

As a result, PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of public health and the environment. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen and has shown that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

Furthermore certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals during the pregnancy.

PCBs are most commonly consumed through food items. 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.

Drinking and showering with Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts -contaminated water is another method of exposure. This could be caused by leaks or spills from electrical equipment and other.

People are also exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or through skin contact. These chemicals can trigger a condition called chloracne, which is a tiny, pale, yellow skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.

However the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet fully known. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver or biliary tract cancers in humans, but further research is needed to find out what this means for us.

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

Lead

Lead is a poisonous metal and can be found in many products, such as pipes, paints and food cans. It is absorbed by the body via two main pathways: oral and respiratory.

It is a potent chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other chemicals in your surroundings. This can cause it to accumulate within the body and lead to serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.

In Houston residents living near a creosote treatment plant run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government for an order to the railroad to remove the site that is contaminated.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, such as creosote. The company has tried to get rid of the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough, residents say.

The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is one of the most grave effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the health department has shown that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples in the rail yard is higher than the level recommended for drinking water.

Another concern is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. It is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors which are harmful for children as well as adults.

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

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It is a sad situation and must be taken care of immediately.

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

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