Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits. Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in!Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?<br /><br />For decades, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to remove the creosote sludge that is buried at its contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that contamination could still be an issue for residents living nearby.<br /><br />Researchers believe it could be due to higher cancer rates in the area. Two years into a state-wide health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.<br /><br />Creosote<br /><br />Creosote, a common chemical, is used in the treatment of wood. It can also cause cancer in those who are exposed to it.<br /><br />It is a dense oily substance which is black or amber-colored and has a smokey odor and burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.<br /><br />It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods like fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also employed to protect log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.<br /><br />The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote can be a hazardous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause irritation to the skin and eyes and chemical burns, stomach pain and burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver issues.<br /><br />Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum tumors. [https://ams.ceu.edu/optimal/optimal.php?url=https://orr-mccullough.mdwrite.net/10-tell-tale-symptoms-you-need-to-buy-a-csx-lawsuit-settlements Railroad Cancer] who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.<br /><br />It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked with several cancers, including esophageal as well lung cancer.<br /><br />Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote due to a former railroad yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes, and continues to spread underground.<br /><br />Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to stop it from spreading.<br /><br />In October of 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil under their homes and causing significant health issues.<br /><br />They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering and also damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim to have been harmed by environmental racism discrimination, sexism, and other types of pollution that has affected them and their families.<br /><br />Dioxin<br /><br />Dioxins are substances that don't break down quickly in the environment and they can remain in the soil, air, or in sediment for a long period of. They can be found in a variety of places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration as well as hazardous waste.<br /><br />The health effects of dioxin are not clear at low levels, however there is evidence that suggests they may cause cancer as well as other serious diseases. [https://unsplash.com/@mindperiod18 Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit] that are higher have been linked to an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune disorders, and endocrine issues like hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger hormonal problems, suppressed immunity womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.<br /><br />According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most popular way people are exposed is through water and food. They aren't liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products or fish and other seafood.<br /><br />However, it is important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that can have a harmful effect on your health is contingent upon many factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat and how often you breathe. It is also essential to consider your gender, age and nutrition status, as well as diet and family characteristics along with other health factors that can determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.<br /><br />The kind of contaminant used is also important. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more dangerous than others to the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, are more likely than creosote affect your health.<br /><br />PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also damage the immune system and cause issues in the development of healthy teeth, bones and bones.<br /><br />For years, residents in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a series of cancer-related deaths that has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their homes. The city's health department said on Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The announcement said that the results weren't encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan proposed by Texas environmental regulators will not suffice.<br /><br />Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)<br /><br />Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. These chemicals were banned in 1979, after they were found to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and interfere with learning.<br /><br />When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water throughout the world. They bind strongly to organic matter, and are often persistent and therefore, are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.<br /><br />PCBs are a major problem to protect the environment and public health. The EPA is adamant that they are a carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.<br /><br />Additionally, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. [https://bbs.now.qq.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=4392070 Railroad Cancer] is particularly the case for children exposed PCBs in the womb.<br /><br />PCBs are mainly consumed through food items. 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.<br /><br />Another way to be exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is affected by PCBs. This could be caused by leaks or spills from electrical equipment and other.<br /><br />People are also exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or by skin contact. These chemicals can trigger a condition called Chloracne. It is a small pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last from several weeks to several years.<br /><br />However, the effects of PCBs on human health aren't fully understood. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, but further research is needed to find out how this impacts us.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies have shown that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or older.<br /><br />Lead<br /><br />Lead is a poisonous metal and is found in many products, such as pipes, paints and food containers. It is absorbed into the body via two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.<br /><br /> [https://www.longisland.com/profile/beenepal82 Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit] is a strong antioxidant that can react with other chemicals in the surrounding. This can lead to it accumulating within the body and lead to serious health problems like cancer and other diseases.<br /><br />In Houston, people who live close to a creosote-based treatment plant run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked the federal government for an order to the railroad to cleanse its toxic site.<br /><br />Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of been a source of contamination for its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. Residents say that the company has been working to remove the contamination but the plan presented to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.<br /><br />The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is one of the most grave effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote in soil samples near the rail yard is greater than the recommended levels for drinking water.<br /><br />Another concern is the gradual release of creosote from the atmosphere. As it is, it is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which are dangerous for children and adults.<br /><br />It is also possible that gases are causing cancers in the residents who are breathing them in. A door-to-door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to learn more about how the vapors are impacting the lives of residents.<br /><br />This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a terribly sad situation that needs to be addressed immediately.<br /><br />A Department of State Health Services study found that the rate of leukemia was five times higher in children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.<br /><br /> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Disgaea Wiki may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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