10 Healthy Railroad Workers Habits

Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn't done enough to clean up an underground plume that is contaminated rail yard. The most recent tests have shown that contamination is still in the vicinity of residents.

Researchers believe it could be related to elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years into a health study conducted by the state they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a common chemical employed in the treatment of wood. It is also a dangerous substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.

It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, like fence posts and utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to shield log homes and other structures from insect infestation.

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

Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.

It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked to several cancers, including esophageal as well as lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for years, thanks to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes as well as their soil and continues to spread throughout the underground.

The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination on a regular basis and implement preventative measures to prevent it from spreading.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil, causing significant health issues from the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering and damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they have suffered the effects of environmental racism, discrimination, and other kinds of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly and can remain in the air, in the soil or sediment for a long time. They are found in many places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health aren't clear at low levels, however there is evidence that dioxin can cause cancer and other serious diseases. The people who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin have been found to have an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system disorders and endocrine changes such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues and hair growth, weight loss 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 aren't volatile and water-soluble, which means they are more easily absorbable by the body via the intake of dairy products, meat as well as fish and other seafood.

It is important to remember that exposure to chemicals can have a detrimental effect on your health based on a variety of factors like how much you drink, eat and the frequency you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender, age, nutrition, and family traits to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.

In addition, the form of contaminant is also an important aspect. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to cause harm impact on health than others. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.

For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also damage the immune system and cause issues with the growth of healthy teeth, bones and bones.

For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a series of cancer deaths that have been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their communities. The announcement made by the city's health department stated that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the surface near the rail yard. The announcement said 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 presented 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 consumer and industrial products for over 60 years. After they were proven to cause cancer and suppress the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water throughout the world. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements bind strongly to organic matter and tend to be persistent, meaning they are relatively easy to transport and build up in the environment.

As a result, PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of public health and the environment. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been proven to cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who are exposed to these chemicals while pregnant.

PCBs are most commonly ingested through food. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.

Another way to be exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is infected with PCBs. This can result from leaks or spills which could occur in electrical and other equipment.

In Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit , people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through 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.

The effects of PCBs upon the human body are not fully understood. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver or biliary tract cancer in humans, but more studies are needed to discover what this means for us.

EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals cause birth defects in newborns, such as low birth weight. A low birth weight is 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 that is found in a wide range of products, including paints, pipes and food containers. It is absorbed by the body through two major routes: respiratory and oral.

It is a powerful antioxidant that can react with other chemicals present in the environment. This can lead to its accumulation within the body. This can lead to serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.

Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to direct the railroad to clean its toxic site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. Residents say that the company has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

Cancer Lawsuit Settlements of the major problems that arose from the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the area. A recent study conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard contain an increased amount of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.





Another concern is the gradual release of creosote from the atmosphere. It is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which can be fatal for children and adults.

It is also possible that the gases are causing cancers in the people who breathe the vapors in. A door-to door health survey is being conducted in the area to find out more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of residents.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation that needs to be addressed immediately.

A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a type leukemia at a five times greater rate than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.