Why Is Everyone Talking About Railroad Workers Right Now

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 that is contaminated rail yard. The most recent tests have shown that contamination could still be affecting residents living nearby.

Researchers suggest it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years into a health study conducted by the state and they found higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote which is a common chemical used to treat wood, is also a common one. It can also cause cancer in people exposed to it.

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

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

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is potentially dangerous chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a short periods can result in skin and eye irritation chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues and even permanent damage.

Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum carcinomas. This is a major concern for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to several cancers which include esophageal, as well lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote because of a former Railroad Cancer yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes and continues to spread underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the initiative to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and implement preventative measures to prevent the spread.

In October of 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a Csx Lawsuit Settlements against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil under their homes and 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 that they have been victimized by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that have impacted them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which don't break down in environment quickly and can remain in the air, water soil, or sediment for a lengthy period. They are found in many places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes, and incineration or hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't well-studied but there is evidence that they can cause serious illnesses like cancer. People who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin 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 cause problems with hormones, Union Pacific Houston Cancer immune suppression, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most prevalent way people are exposed to the toxins is through food and water. They aren't volatile or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

However, it is crucial to remember that the level of exposure that has detrimental effects on your health will depend on numerous factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you eat or drink and how much you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender, age, nutrition, and family traits to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.

The type of contaminant is also crucial. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to have a negative impact on health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs are more likely than creosote have a negative effect on your health.

PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also damage the immune system and cause issues with the development of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster of cancer deaths that are that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right next to their homes. The city's health department announced on Friday that it has found Cancer Lawsuit Settlements-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The announcement said the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate given the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. They were banned in 1979 after being proven to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and hinder learning.

Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil throughout the world. They are powerful binders of organic matter that can be easily transported and accumulated into the environment.

Therefore, PCBs are a major concern for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA considers them to be a possible human carcinogen and has shown that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

Additionally certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children who have been exposed to these chemicals during pregnancy.

PCBs are most commonly consumed through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.

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

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

The effects of PCBs upon human health are not fully recognized. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to understand how this affects us.

EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns, including 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 life. Two studies showed that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or later in life.

Lead

Lead is a highly toxic metal that is found in a variety of items like paints pipes and Union Pacific Houston Cancer food cans. The body can absorb it through two main routes: the respiratory and oral.

It is a strong oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals found in the environment. It can build up within the body and can lead to serious health issues, such as cancer and other ailments.

In Houston, people who live near a creosote treatment plant owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has requested the federal government's help in cleaning up the Railroad Cancer's toxic site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents have claimed that the company has been working to remove the contamination but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

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

Another cause for concern is the gradual release of creosote from the atmosphere. As it escapes, it is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors which are harmful for children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in people who inhale them. To find out more about the effects of the vapors on lives of residents, a door-to-door survey is being done in the neighborhood.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a pity and must 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 form of leukemia that was 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.