Editing Railroad Workers Tips From The Top In The Industry

Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?<br /><br />For decades, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to remove creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its rail yard that is contaminated. Recent tests have revealed that the contamination may be an issue for residents living nearby.<br /><br />Researchers believe it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years into a state-wide health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.<br /><br />Creosote<br /><br />Creosote is a chemical commonly used to treat wood. It is also a dangerous substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it.<br /><br />It is a thick, oily substance that is black or amber in color and has a smokey odor and burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product and has been in use for more than 150 years as a wood preservative.<br /><br />It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, such as fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to guard log structures and homes against rot and insect infestation.<br /><br />According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is potentially dangerous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause eye and skin irritation as well as chemical burns stomach discomfort burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems.<br /><br />Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum tumors. This is a serious issue for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.<br /><br />According to the EPA it is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to several cancers which include esophageal, as well as lung cancer.<br /><br />Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades due to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. [https://puckett-soto-2.blogbright.net/what-is-the-future-of-cancer-lawsuit-settlements-be-like-in-100-years-1682551043 Railroad Cancer Lawyer] claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and is spreading underground.<br /><br />The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination and take steps to prevent it from spreading.<br /><br />In October 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes , causing serious health issues.<br /><br />They are seeking damages from the railroad in order to cover the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They claim that they have been suffering from environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other forms of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends.<br /><br /> [https://rentry.co/o4ie3 Railroad Cancer] are chemical compounds that don't break down in environment quickly , and can remain in the air, water soil or sediment for a long period. They can be found in many places in natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.<br /><br />The effects of dioxin on health are not known at low levels, however there is evidence that suggests they can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked with an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune disorders, and endocrine disorders, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues and weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts, known as chloracne.<br /><br />According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most popular way people are exposed is through food and water. They aren't volatile nor 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.<br /><br />It is nevertheless important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that can have adverse effects on your health is dependent on many factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you eat or drink and how much air you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and age, nutritional status, and family characteristics to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.<br /><br />The kind of contaminant used is also important. The EPA states that certain toxic substances are more likely to have a damaging effect on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.<br /><br />For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They also can harm the immune system of the person and interfere with the development of healthy bones and teeth.<br /><br />Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster cancer deaths caused by the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right close to their homes. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department stated that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. [https://paste1s.com/notes/626OFM68 Cancer Lawsuit Settlements] stated that the results were not a good sign. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators will not be adequate given the findings.<br /><br />Polychlorinated Biphenyls<br /><br />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 discovered to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and interfere with learning.<br /><br /> [https://canvas.instructure.com/eportfolios/2065422/Home/Ten_Union_Pacific_Lawsuit_Settlementss_That_Really_Improve_Your_Life Cancer Lawsuit Settlements] can cause contamination of soil, water, and air in a variety of regions of the globe once they are released into the environment. They bind tightly to organic matter and are generally persistent which means they are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.<br /><br />PCBs are a significant concern to protect the environment and public health. The EPA considers them a probable human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.<br /><br />Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals during pregnancy.<br /><br /> [https://blogfreely.net/feastrock4/railroad-cancer-settlement-amounts-what-nobody-has-discussed Railroad Cancer] for exposure to PCBs is through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.<br /><br />Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This could be the result of leaks or spillages in electrical and other equipment.<br /><br />People may also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can cause a condition called chloracne, which is a small, pale, yellow skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years.<br /><br />The effects of PCBs upon the human body are not fully understood. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to discover how this impacts us.<br /><br />EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, such as less weight at birth. A low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. In two studies, children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower body weight at birth, and/or later in childhood.<br /><br />Lead<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Lead is a toxic metal and is present in a wide range of products, including paints, pipes, and food cans. The body can absorb it through two routes: oral and respiratory.<br /><br />It is a potent antioxidant that can react with other chemicals found in the environment. It can build up within the body and could lead to serious health problems like cancer and other diseases.<br /><br />In Houston the residents who live close to a creosote-based treatment plant owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to order the railroad to cleanse the site that is contaminated.<br /><br />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, such as creosote. Residents have claimed that the company has been working to eliminate the contamination, but the proposal submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.<br /><br />One of the most significant problems that stemmed due to the contamination is the groundwater plume beneath homes in the area. A recent study by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote in soil samples in the rail yard is higher than the level recommended for drinking water.<br /><br />Another cause for concern is the slow escape of creosote into the atmosphere. It is causing residents to breathe harmful levels of vapors which could cause death for both children as well as adults.<br /><br />It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in those who inhale them. A door-to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the neighborhood to learn more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of the residents.<br /><br />This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very sad situation that must be dealt with immediately.<br /><br />A Department of State Health Services study found that the rate of leukemia was five times higher among children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.<br /><br />