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Why Railroad Workers Is The Best Choice For You?
Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn’t taken the necessary steps to clean the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. And now, the latest tests show the contamination could still be affecting people who live nearby.

Researchers suggest it could be related to elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years into a state health investigation and they found 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 common chemical used to treat wood. It is also a cause of cancer in people exposed to it.

It is a heavy, oily substance that is black or amber-colored and has a smoky odor and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product and has been used for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

It is employed in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods, including fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings from marine construction. It can also be used for protecting log structures and homes from rot and insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote could be a risky chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause skin and eye irritation chemical burns stomach discomfort and burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver problems.

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

It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked to many types of cancer such as esophageal cancer as well lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote thanks to a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes and is spreading underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the initiative to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination on a regular basis 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 was a source of contamination in their soil and caused major health issues as a result of the former rail yard.

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

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that don't break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, soil or sediment for a long time. They are found in a variety of locations that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health in low concentrations aren't well-studied however, there is evidence to suggest that they could cause serious illnesses like cancer. People exposed to higher levels are believed to have an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune system issues and endocrine disorders such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal issues, weakened immunity and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most frequent way that people are exposed is through food and water. They aren't volatile and water-soluble, so they are easily absorbed by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat such as fish, as well as other seafood.

However, it is important to remember that the amount of exposure that will have a harmful effect on your health depends on several factors, such as the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat, and the amount of air you breathe. It is also essential to take into consideration your gender, age as well as your diet, nutritional status and family characteristics and other health factors that can affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.

The kind of contaminant is also important. According to the EPA, some toxins are more harmful than others for human health. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to affect your health.

For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They also can harm the immune system of a person, and affect the development of healthy teeth and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster of cancer deaths that are connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right close to their homes. The city's health department said on Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The release said that the results were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are harmful chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in industrial and consumer products. PCBs were banned in 1979, after they were found to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and hinder learning.

Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in a variety of areas around the world. They are strong binding agents of organic matter, and are transported easily and accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a major problem for the protection of the environment and public health. They are deemed to be 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 especially relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.


Another way to be exposed PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is affected by PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spills that occur in electrical or other equipment.

People may also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as Chloracne. This is small pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last for several weeks to several years.

The effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely understood. Researchers have suggested that they may 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 cause birth defects for newborns, including lower birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or later in life.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal and is found in many products, including pipes, paints and food containers. It can be absorbed by the body through two major routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a powerful chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals present in your environment. It is able to accumulate in the body, and could lead to serious health issues like cancer and other diseases.

In Houston the residents who live near a creosote treatment plant run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has requested the federal government to direct the railroad to remove its contaminated site.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of polluting its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, including creosote. The company has tried to get rid of the mess, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents believe.

One of the biggest problems that arose due to the contamination is the groundwater plume under the homes in the region. A recent study conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain an increased amount of creosote than what is required for drinking water.

Another issue is that creosote is slowly disappearing into the air. As it does, it causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that are harmful to children as well as adults.

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

This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation and it should be dealt with immediately.

A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a type of leukemia at a five-fold greater rate than what was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.

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