15 Inspiring Facts About Railroad Workers You've Never Seen

Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn’t done enough to clean up an underground plume contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have shown that contamination could still be in the vicinity of residents.

Researchers believe it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years after the launch of an all-state health investigation, researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

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

It is a dense oily substance that's black or amber-colored and has a smoky scent and burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preservative.

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

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states creosote is a hazardous chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for brief periods may cause irritation to the eyes and skin and chemical burns, stomach discomfort, burning of the mouth or throat as well as liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.

Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum tumors. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.

It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen, according to the EPA. It has been linked to a variety of cancers that include esophageal aswell lung Cancer Lawsuit Settlements.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for years, thanks to a former rail yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil and continues to spread underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the Csx Lawsuit Settlements against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to prevent it from spreading.

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 ailments and suffering as well as compensation from the Railroad Workers (relevant site) for the cost of cleaning and other costs. They also claim that they are victimized by environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other forms of pollution that has impacted them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that do not break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, soil, or sediment for a lengthy period. They can be found in a variety of locations that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes, and incineration or hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health in low concentrations aren't known yet, there is evidence suggesting that they can cause serious illnesses like cancer. Higher levels of dioxin are linked to a higher risk for organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune-related issues and endocrine issues including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues and hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts, known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most popular way that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking or eating. They are not volatile or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of dairy products or fish and other seafood.

It is nevertheless important to remember that the level of exposure that has detrimental effects on your health is contingent upon many factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you consume alcohol or food, and Railroad Workers how much you breathe. It is also crucial to take into consideration your age, gender and diet, nutritional status and family characteristics and other health factors that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.

In addition, the form of contaminant is an important factor. According to the EPA certain toxins are more dangerous than others for human health. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.

For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They also can harm a person's immune system and interfere with 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 linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is next to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department said that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. The announcement said that the results were not encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. These substances were banned in 1979 after they were found to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and hinder learning.

PCBs can be harmful to soil as well as water and air in many areas of the world once they are released into the environment. They bind tightly to organic matter and tend to remain in the environment for a long time, meaning they are relatively simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a significant concern for protecting the environment and public health. The EPA considers them a potential carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals in the womb.

PCBs are most commonly ingested through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking water is another way to be exposed. This can be caused by leaks or spills from electrical or other equipment.

Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or through skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as chloracne which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions which can last from weeks to years.

The effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely understood. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or biliary tract cancer in humans, however more studies are needed to determine the extent to which this impacts us.

EPA has also been investigating whether these chemicals cause birth defects in newborns, such as low birth weight. A low birth weight has been linked with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. Two studies showed that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or a later age.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that is found in a variety of items like paints pipes and food cans. The body absorbs it through two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a potent oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals in your environment. It can build up in the body, which can cause serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.

In Houston residents living close to a creosote-based treatment plant run by Union Pacific Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to order the railroad to clean up its contaminated site.

The Union Pacific Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts has a history of polluting its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, such as creosote. The company has been trying to remove the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough, residents say.

The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is one of the most grave consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples taken from the rail yard have higher levels of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.

Another concern is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. It is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which could cause death for both children and adults.

It is also possible that fumes are causing cancers to the residents who are breathing them in. A door-to-door health survey is being carried out in the neighborhood to discover more about how the vapors impact the lives of the residents.

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

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