Five Railroad Workers Lessons Learned From Professionals

Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn't done enough to clean the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. Recent tests have revealed that contamination is still in the vicinity of residents.

Railroad Cancer Lawyer believe that it could be due to the large number of cancers in the area. Two years into a state-wide health investigation and they found higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical, is that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a harmful substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance, 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.

It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods, such as fence posts, utility poles, and pilings for marine use. It is also employed to protect log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be potentially dangerous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause eye and skin irritation as well as chemical burns, stomach pain and burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver issues.

Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. This is a serious concern for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA the EPA, it is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety kinds of cancers including esophageal as well as lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years due to a former rail yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and is spreading underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination regularly and implement preventative measures to prevent the spread.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and causing serious health problems.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to pay the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim to have been harmed by racism in the environment and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that have affected their families as well as them.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which don't 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 a variety of places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration and hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are unclear at low levels, but there is evidence that suggests they may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune-related issues and endocrine problems, including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal issues, suppressed immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most frequent way that people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They aren't volatile or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of dairy products or fish and other seafood.

But it is important to remember that the amount of exposure that can have negative effects on your health depends on many factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat, and how much you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender, age, nutrition, and family characteristics to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.

The type of contaminant also crucial. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative impact on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.

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

For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a cluster of cancer deaths that has been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their neighborhoods. The city's health department said on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The release noted that the findings were not encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and also said that a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators will not be adequate given the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

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





PCBs can contaminate soil and water as well as air in a variety of regions of the globe once they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and tend to remain in the environment for a long time and therefore, are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.

As a result, PCBs are a major issue for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA considers them to be a possible human carcinogen and has shown that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.

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

Showering and drinking water is another way to be exposed. This could be due to leaks or spills that occur in electrical equipment and other.

People can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as chloracne which is a mild, small skin lesions that can last from a few weeks to a few years.

However, the effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they could cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However further research is required to determine how this affects us.

EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, including low birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. 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 poisonous metal and is present in a wide range of products, including pipes, paints and food cans. It is absorbed by the body via two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a strong chemical that can oxidize and react with other chemicals present in your environment. It can build up within the body and can cause serious health problems like cancer and other diseases.

In Houston, people who live close to a creosote-based treatment plant run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit has requested the federal government's assistance in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated facility.

Union Pacific Railroad has a long history of having contaminated 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 proposal submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is among the most severe consequences of the contamination. A recent study by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote in soil samples near the rail yard is more than the recommended levels for drinking water.

Another major concern is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. It is causing residents to breathe harmful levels of vapors which can cause fatalities for both children as well as adults.

It is also possible that particles are causing cancers among the residents who are breathing the vapors in. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit -to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the area to understand 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 very sad 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 anticipated. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.