The Reasons Why Adding A Railroad Workers To Your Life Will Make All The Change

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 rail yard that is contaminated. The latest tests have demonstrated that the contamination could be an issue for residents living nearby.

Researchers suggest it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the region. Two years into a state-wide health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote





Creosote is a chemical commonly that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a harmful substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it.

It is a heavy, oily substance that is black or amber-colored and has a smoky scent and a burnt flavor. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.

It is used in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods, including fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings for marine use. It can also be used for protecting log structures and homes from the effects of rot and insect invasion.

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

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum carcinomas. 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 with a variety of different cancer types including esophageal as well as lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades due to an old rail yard located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil and is spreading underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests frequently for contamination and take steps to prevent it from spreading.

In October of 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. Railroad Workers claim that creosote had contaminated their soil and caused major health problems from the former rail yard.

They are seeking damages from the railroad in order to cover the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They claim they are suffering from environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that do not break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, water soil, or sediment for a long time. Railroad Workers can be found in a variety of locations, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels aren't well-studied but there is evidence that they can trigger serious illnesses , such as cancer. People who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to have an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune system problems, and endocrine imbalances such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal problems, suppressed immunity and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most popular way people are exposed is through food and water. They are not volatile or water-soluble, therefore they are more easily absorbed by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat fish, and other seafood.

It is nevertheless important to remember that the level of exposure that will have negative effects on your health will depend on many factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you consume alcohol or food, and how much you breathe. It is also important to take into consideration your age, gender, diet, nutritional status and family traits in addition to other factors in your health that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.

The kind of contaminant is equally important. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to cause harm effect on the human body than others. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote affect your health.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancer deaths linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated close to their homes. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department said that it found cancer-causing chemicals on samples of the rail yard. The release stated that the results were "not 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 won't be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. After being proven to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

PCBs can contaminate soil, water, and air in many parts of the world once they are released into the environment. They are strong binders for organic matter that can be easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a major issue for the protection of the environment and public health. The EPA considers them a probable human carcinogen and has shown that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Additionally certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children exposed these chemicals in the womb.

PCBs are most often ingested through food. Fish is the most common source of exposure since they contain the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.

Drinking and showering with PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This could be due to leaks or spills that could be caused by electrical or other equipment.

People are also exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as Chloracne. This is small pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last from months or even years.

However the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet completely comprehended. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver or the biliary tract cancers among humans, but more studies are needed to discover how this impacts us.

EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, like low birth weight. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. In two studies, children who were 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 toxic metal that is found in a variety of items, such as paints, pipes and food cans. It is absorbed by the body via two main routes: respiratory and oral.

It is a potent antioxidant that can react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It can build up in the body, which could lead to serious health issues like cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's legacy creosote plant have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the assistance of the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's toxic site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The railroad has been trying to remove the mess, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents believe.

The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is among the most dangerous effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the health department has shown that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples in the rail yard is much higher than the recommended level for drinking water.

Another issue is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. As it escapes, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that can be harmful to children as well as adults.

It is also possible that vapors are causing cancers in the residents who are breathing the vapors. A door-to door health survey is being carried out in the neighborhood to learn more about the effects of the vapors on the residents' lives.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. Railroad Workers is a very sad situation that must be addressed as soon as possible.

A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a type of leukemia at five times higher rate than the average. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.