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What Is Railroad Workers And Why Is Everyone Talking About It?
Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn't done enough 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's due to the high rate of cancers in the region. Two years into a state-wide health investigation they discovered higher than expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

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

It is a thick oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been used for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, like fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings from marine construction. It is also used to safeguard log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote, according to the EPA, is a potentially dangerous chemical. Short-term exposure can cause irritation of the skin and eyes and chemical burns stomach discomfort, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems.

Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.

According to the EPA it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety of cancers of various types including esophageal and lung cancer.

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

Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against 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.

In October 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes and is causing serious health problems.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to help cover the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They claim they are affected by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that has affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, water soil or sediment for a long time. They can be derived from diverse sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are unclear at low levels, but there is evidence that dioxin can cause cancer and other serious diseases. People exposed to higher levels of dioxin have been found to be at risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system problems and endocrine disorders like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive issues, a weak immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts called chloracne.

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

It is nevertheless important to be aware that the amount of exposure that could have detrimental effects on your health depends on many factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you drink or eat and how often you breathe. Union Pacific Cancer Cluster is also essential to take into consideration your gender, age and diet, nutritional status and family characteristics along with other factors in your health that could influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.

Furthermore, the kind 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. Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote affect your health.

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

For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a series of cancer-related deaths which has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department revealed that they discovered cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The release said that the results were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan presented to Texas environmental regulators won't be adequate given the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls


PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are harmful chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. PCBs were banned in 1979, after they were found to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and interfere with learning.

After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in many areas of the world. They are strong binding agents of organic matter, and are easily transported and accumulated into the environment.

PCBs are a major problem for protecting the environment and public health. The EPA considers them to be a possible carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Furthermore, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during the pregnancy.

PCBs are most commonly ingested through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be present 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 could be due to leaks or spills that can occur in electrical and other equipment.

Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through their skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as chloracne which is a tiny, pale yellow skin lesions which can be present for a period of weeks or years.

The effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully understood. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, but further research is needed to find out how this impacts us.

EPA is also studying whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns, like lower birth weight. Low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, 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 , and/or older.

Lead

Lead is a poisonous metal and is found in a wide range of products, including pipes, paints and food cans. It is absorbed by the body via two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a strong antioxidant that can react with other chemicals in the environment. This can cause it to accumulate within the body. This can cause serious health issues such as cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's legacy creosote plant have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked the federal government for an order to the railroad to remove the site that is contaminated.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The company has been trying to remove the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents claim.

Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is one of the most severe effects of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has revealed that soil samples from the rail yard contain an increased amount of creosote than that recommended for drinking water.

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

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer for those who inhale them. To find out more about the effect of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being conducted in the neighborhood.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a pity and must be resolved immediately.

A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a form of leukemia at a five-fold higher rate than expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.

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