What Is Everyone Talking About Railroad Workers Right Now

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 the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that contamination is still impacting residents living near.

Researchers say it may be linked to the increased cancer rates in the area. Two years into a state health investigation the researchers found higher than anticipated rates of childhood leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical used for the treatment of wood, is also a common one. It is also a harmful substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance, 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.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other types of wood including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It can also be employed to protect log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote can be a hazardous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause skin and eye irritation, chemical burns, stomach pain burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems.

Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a significant concern for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

It is considered a probable human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked to a range of different types of cancer such as esophageal or lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades, thanks to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. The chemical is said to have contaminated their homes and soil and continues to spread throughout the underground.





Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test regularly for contamination , and take steps to stop the spread of the disease.

In October 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes , causing significant health issues.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They also claim to be affected by environmental racism and discrimination, and other forms of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, water soil or in sediment for long periods. They can be found in a variety places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin aren't clear at low levels, however there is evidence to suggest that they may cause cancer as well as other serious diseases. Higher levels of dioxin are linked to a higher risk for organ cancers, heart disease immune disorders, and endocrine problems, like hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues as well as 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 or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

However, it is crucial to remember that the level of exposure that can have detrimental effects on your health is dependent on many factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you drink or eat and how often you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender and age, nutritional status, and family traits to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.

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

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

For Union Pacific Cancer , residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a series of cancer deaths that has been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their neighborhoods. Friday's announcement by the city's health department stated that it found cancer-causing chemicals on samples of the surface near the rail yard. The release noted that the results were not a good sign. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate given the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in consumer and industrial products. PCBs were banned in 1979 after being proven to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and interfere with learning.

When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water throughout the world. They bind strongly to organic matter and tend to be persistent, meaning they are relatively easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

As a result, PCBs are a major concern for the protection of public health and the environment. Railroad Workers Cancer is adamant that they are a human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

In addition, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.

PCBs are most commonly ingested through food. Fish is the primary source of exposure since they are the largest source of PCBs. However, Union Pacific Cancer can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.

Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This can happen from leaks or spills which could occur in electrical and other equipment.

Additionally, Union Pacific Cancer can be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or through their skin. These chemicals can cause a condition called Chloracne. This is a tiny, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last for weeks to years.

The effects of PCBs on human health are still not fully known. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or the biliary tract cancers in humans, but more studies are needed to discover how this affects us.

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies revealed that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or an earlier age.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that can be found in many products including paints, pipes and food cans. It can be absorbed by the body through two major routes: respiratory and oral.

It is a strong antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals present in the environment. This can cause it to accumulate in the body and can cause serious health issues like cancer and other illnesses.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility are at risk of cancer. The city has requested assistance from the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated site.

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

The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is among the most grave effects of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has found that soil samples from the rail yard have an increased amount of creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.

Another reason to be concerned is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. It is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which can be fatal for both children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer for those who inhale them. To learn more about the effect of the vapors on lives of residents there is a door-to door survey being done in the neighborhood.

This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It is a sad situation and it should be addressed immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates were five times higher among children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in these areas than in other areas of Texas.