It's The Myths And Facts Behind Railroad Workers

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 latest tests have revealed that the contamination may continue to affect those who live near.

Researchers believe that it could be due to the high incidence of cancers in the area. Two years into a state-wide health investigation the researchers found higher than anticipated levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is one of the most common chemicals employed in the treatment of wood. It can cause cancer in those who are exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal 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 asbestos settlement ties, as well as other types of woods, including fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings from marine construction. It is also used for protecting log structures and homes from the effects of rot and insect invasion.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote can be an extremely hazardous chemical. Exposure to creosote for short periods can result in irritation to the eyes and skin as well as chemical burns, stomach discomfort, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum tumors. This is a significant concern for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA, it is a possible human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a variety kinds of cancers such as esophageal or lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for years due to the former rail yard that was located 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 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 had contaminated their soil and Myelodysplastic Syndrome multiple myeloma caused by railroad how to get a settlement By Railroad How To Get A Settlement (Https://Esbensen-Stilling-2.Blogbright.Net/The-Most-Hilarious-Complaints-Weve-Received-About-Railroad-Injury-Settlement-Amounts-1693196102/) serious health problems as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering, as well as compensation from the railroad ties cancer for the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They claim to have been harmed by racism in the environment and discrimination as well as other kinds of pollution that have affected their families as well as them.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which do not break down quickly in the environment and they can be found in the air, This Web-site water, soil or sediment for an extended period of. They can come from many sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels aren't well-studied but there is evidence that they could cause serious illnesses like cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune-related issues and endocrine problems, including hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger hormonal issues, weakened immunity womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most popular way that people are exposed dioxin is through food or drinking water. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble, so they are easily absorbed by the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.

It is important to remember that exposure to chemicals can cause harm to your health, based on numerous factors like how much you drink, eat, and how often you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, your diet, and family traits to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.

Furthermore, the kind of contaminant can be an important aspect. According to the EPA, some toxins are more dangerous than others for human health. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.

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

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 situated close to their homes. The announcement made by the city's health department claimed that it had found 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 plans to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan presented 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 household products for over 60 years. After being shown to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.

Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil throughout the world. They are strong binders for organic matter, and are easily transported and accumulated into the environment.

Therefore, PCBs are a major issue for the protection of public health and the environment. The EPA considers them to be a possible 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 particularly the case for children exposed these chemicals in the womb.

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

Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This could be due to leaks or spills which could occur in electrical and other equipment.

Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as chloracne which is a mild, small skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years.

The effects of PCBs on the health of humans aren't completely known. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to understand how this affects us.

The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns. 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 , and/or later in life.

Lead

Lead is a poisonous metal and can be found in a variety of products, including pipes, paints and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.

It is an extremely antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals in the surrounding. This can cause it to accumulate in the body , and could cause serious health issues like cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote facility are at risk of cancer. The city has requested assistance from the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's contamination site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents say that the company has been working to get rid of the pollution, but the plan that was submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

One of the most significant problems that stemmed from the contamination was the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the region. A recent study by health officials has shown that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain higher levels of creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.

Another reason to be concerned is that creosote is slowly disappearing into the air. It causes residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors, which can cause fatalities for children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in those who inhale them. A door-to door health survey is being carried out in the neighborhood to understand the effects of the vapors on the lives of residents.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very sad situation that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

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 prevalent in these areas than in other areas of Texas.