Revision as of 13:51, 29 April 2023 by 78.157.213.74 (talk)(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?For decades, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to remove creosote in the underground air at its contaminated rail yard. The most recent tests have shown that contamination could still be impacting residents living near.Researchers believe it's due to the large number of cancers in the region. Two years into a state health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote is a popular chemical that is used to treat wood is also a very common one. It is also a cause of cancer in people exposed to it.It is a heavy, oily substance that is black or amber in appearance and has a smokey odor and a burnt taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, like fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings from marine construction. It is also used to protect log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote may be an extremely hazardous chemical. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit -term exposure could cause eye and skin irritation, chemical burns, stomach pain, burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver issues.Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. This is a significant 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 probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to many types of cancer which include esophageal, as well lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote thanks to a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim the chemical has affected their homes as well as their soil and continues to spread throughout the underground.The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the initiative to sue Union Pacific in federal court. Railroad Cancer Lawyer are demanding that the company test for contamination regularly and adopt preventative measures to stop it from spreading.A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil, causing significant health problems as a result of the former rail yard.They are seeking damages from the railroad to help cover the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit claim they've been affected by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other types of pollution that has affected their families and themselves.DioxinDioxins are chemical compounds that don't break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, in the soil or in sediment for long periods. They can come from a variety of sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents, smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.The effects of dioxin on health aren't clear at low levels, however there is evidence that suggests they can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers immune disorders, and endocrine issues, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues as well as weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts known as chloracne.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most popular way people are exposed to the toxins is through food and water. They are not volatile and water-soluble, therefore they are more easily to be absorbed by the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.It is important to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins could cause harm to your health, based on numerous factors like how much you eat, drink, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family traits to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.In addition, the type of contaminant can be an important factor. According to the EPA, some toxins are more dangerous than others for the health of humans. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also affect a person's immune system and hinder the growth of healthy teeth and bones.Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated close to their homes. The announcement made by the city's health department revealed that they had found cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the surface near the rail yard. The release said that 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 that a proposal that he submitted to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be adequate given the findings.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. After they were proven to cause cancer and suppress the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in a variety of areas around the world. They bind strongly to organic matter and tend to be persistent and therefore, are easy to transport and build up in the environment.PCBs are a major issue for protecting the environment as well as public health. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals while pregnant.The most common route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Fish is the primary source of exposure since they contain the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef and other agricultural products.Drinking and showering with PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This could be due to leaks or spills from electrical and other equipment.Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is a mild pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last for several weeks to several years.However, Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit of PCBs on human health aren't completely known. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver and the biliary tract cancers among humans, but further studies are needed to understand the extent to which this impacts us.EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects for newborns, including low birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. Two studies have shown that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or later in life.LeadLead is a poisonous metal that is found in a wide range of products, including paints, pipes and food containers. It is absorbed into the body through two main routes: respiratory and oral.It is a potent chemical that can oxidize and react with other chemicals in your environment. This can lead to it accumulating in the body , and could cause serious health issues like cancer and other illnesses.In Houston, people who live close to a creosote-based treatment facility owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has requested the federal government's help in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated facility.Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The company has tried to remove the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents believe.One of the most significant problems that resulted due to the contamination is the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the region. A recent study conducted by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples in the rail yard is more than the recommended levels for drinking water.Another concern is the slow release of creosote in the air. It is causing residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which could be fatal for children and adults.It is also possible that the vapors are causing cancers in the people who breathe the vapors. A door-to-door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to understand how the vapors impact the lives of residents.This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very tragic situation that must be addressed as soon as possible.A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher for children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.