Notes

Your Family Will Be Thankful For Having This Railroad Workers
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 that is contaminated rail yard. Now, the most recent tests have revealed that the contamination may continue to affect people who live nearby.

Researchers believe it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years into a state-wide health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a popular chemical used to treat wood is also a popular one. It is also a cause of cancer in people who are exposed to it.

It is a dense oily substance that's 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 an ingredient in wood preservative.

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

According to Railroad Workers And Cancer United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is an extremely dangerous chemical. Exposure to creosote for short periods can result in irritation to the eyes and skin and chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of mouth or throat as well as liver or kidney problems and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious issue for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA it is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety of different 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 due to a former rail yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes as well as their soil, and it 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 regularly for contamination and to take measures to stop it from spreading.

In October 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and causing serious health issues.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They also claim that they are victimized by environmental racism and discrimination and other kinds of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends.

Dioxin

Dioxins are substances that do not break down quickly in the environment and can remain in the air, water, soil or sediment for an extended period of time. They can come from diverse sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels aren't yet known, there is evidence that they can cause serious diseases like cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune issues, and endocrine problems, including hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger hormonal issues, suppressed immunity and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking water or food. They are not volatile and water-soluble, which means they are more easily taken in by the body through the intake of dairy products, meat as well as fish and other seafood.

It is nevertheless important to be aware that the amount of exposure that can have negative effects on your health depends on various factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you eat or drink and how much you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family traits to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.


In addition, the type of contaminant is another important aspect. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to cause harm impact on health than others. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.

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

For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a string of cancer-related deaths which has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their neighborhoods. The city's health department reported on Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemical compounds 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 take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and also said that a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators won't be adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. PCBs were banned in 1979 following they were found to cause cancer, weaken the immune system and inhibit learning.

PCBs can cause contamination of soil as well as water and air in a variety of regions of the globe once they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and tend to be persistent, meaning they are relatively easy to transport and build up in the environment.

PCBs are a significant concern for protecting the environment and public health. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA, and have been found to cause cancer in lab animals.

Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children exposed to these chemicals while pregnant.

The most common route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Fish is the most common source of exposure, as they are the source of the most PCBs. But, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Another way to be exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is contaminated with PCBs. This could be caused by leaks or spills from electrical and other equipment.

Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin. These chemicals can cause 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 are not yet completely known. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to discover how this impacts us.

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborn babies. Low birth weight has been linked to insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. In two studies, children 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 that is found in many products like paints, pipes and food cans. The body can absorb it through two routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a powerful antioxidant and can react with other chemicals present in the environment. This could cause it to build up in the body and can cause serious health issues like cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy are at a high risk of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's help in the cleanup of the railroad's toxic site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The company has been working to eliminate the mess, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents believe.

Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is one of the most dangerous consequences of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has found that soil samples from the rail yard have a higher concentration of creosote than that recommended for drinking water.

Another reason to be concerned is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. It can cause residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which could be fatal for children as well as adults.

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

This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation that needs to be addressed immediately.

A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a form of leukemia at five times greater rate than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.

Homepage: https://sites.google.com/view/railroadcancersettlements