10 Railroad Workers That Are Unexpected

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 an underground plume of creosote at its rail yard that is contaminated. Now, the most recent tests have revealed that the contamination may still be affecting people who live nearby.

Researchers believe it's due to the high rate of cancers found in the region. Two years after the launch of a state-wide health investigation the researchers discovered that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

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

It is a dense oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been in use for over 150 years as a wood preservative.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other types of wood including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used for protecting log houses and other structures from insects and rot.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is potentially dangerous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause irritation to the skin and eyes and chemical burns, stomach pain burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues.

Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts for long periods can lead to skin and scrotum cancer. This is a major concern for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA it is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety of different types of cancer, including esophageal and lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote due to a former railroad yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated, and it continues to spread underground.

The cities 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 stop the spread of the disease.

In October 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused serious health problems from the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to pay the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They also claim to be harmed by environmental racism and discrimination, and other forms of pollution that has adversely affected their families and friends.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that do not degrade quickly in the environment and can remain in the soil, air, water or sediment for a lengthy time. They are found in a variety places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration and hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin aren't clear at low levels, however there is evidence that suggests they may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked with an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune problems, and endocrine problems, like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive issues, a weak immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues as well as hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts, known as chloracne.

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 and water-soluble, therefore they are more easily absorbed by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products as well as fish and other seafood.

It is important to remember, however, that exposure can affect your health, based on numerous factors such as how much you drink, eat, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also important to take into consideration your age, gender and diet, nutritional status and family characteristics, as well as other health factors that could determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.

The type of contaminant is also crucial. According to the EPA certain toxins are more dangerous than others for human health. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.

PCBs can cause damage to the eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also harm the immune system of the person and interfere with the development of healthy bones and teeth.

For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a cluster of cancer deaths that have been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their neighborhoods. The city's health department announced on Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The release said that the findings were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators won't suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

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

PCBs can be harmful to soil as well as water and air in many parts around the globe after they are released into the environment. They bind strongly to organic matter, and tend to be persistent and therefore, are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a major concern for the protection of the environment and public health. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been found to cause cancer in laboratory animals.





Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children exposed these chemicals during the womb.

The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Another way to be exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that has been affected by PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spills which could occur in electrical and other equipment.

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

However the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely recognized. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to discover how this impacts us.

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been associated with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. 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.

Lead

Lead is a poisonous metal and can be found in many products, such as paints, pipes and food cans. The body can absorb it through two major routes: respiratory and oral.

It is a strong oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It can accumulate in the body, and can cause serious health issues such as cancer and other ailments.

In Houston residents living near a creosote treatment facility run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to instruct the railroad to clean its toxic site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a long history of having contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The company has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough, residents say.

One of the most important problems that resulted from the contamination is the groundwater plume beneath homes in the region. A recent study by health officials has found that soil samples taken from the rail yard have an increased amount of creosote than that recommended for drinking water.

Another issue is the slow evaporation of creosote in the air. As it escapes, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors, which are dangerous for children and adults.

It is also possible that the particles are causing cancers among the residents who breathe the vapors. To find out more about the effect of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being done in the neighborhood.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very tragic situation that must be dealt with immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates were five times higher in 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 neighborhoods than in other areas of Texas.