20 Railroad Workers Websites Taking The Internet By Storm

[1] Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn't taken the necessary steps to clean the underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. Recent tests have revealed that the contamination may be an issue for residents living nearby.

Researchers believe it could be linked to the increased cancer rates in the area. Two years after the launch of an investigation into health issues across the state Researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the area surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a chemical commonly used to treat wood. It is also a harmful substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.

It is a dense oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a bitter taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been in use for more than 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods like fence posts, utility poles, and pilings from marine construction. It is also employed to protect log homes and other structures from insect infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote could be a risky chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause irritation to the skin and eyes, chemical burns stomach pain and burning in the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues.

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

It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked to many types of cancer, including esophageal as well as lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote thanks to a former railroad yard close to their homes. They claim the chemical has contaminated their homes and soil and continues to spread underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to prevent the spread.

In October of 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote had contaminated their soil and caused major health issues as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering, as well as damages from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They also claim to be harmed by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other types of pollution that have impacted them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemicals which don't break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, soil, or sediment for a long time. They can be found in a variety of places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration as well as hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin are not known at low levels, however there is evidence that dioxin can trigger cancer and other serious illnesses. Higher levels of dioxin are linked to a higher risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune problems, and endocrine problems, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes and hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts known as chloracne.

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

But it is important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that has a harmful effect on your health depends on numerous factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you consume alcohol or food, and how much you breathe. It is also essential to take into consideration your gender, age as well as your diet, nutritional status and family traits, as well as other health factors that may influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.

The kind of contaminant used is also crucial. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative effect on human 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 affect the immune system and cause problems in the development of healthy bones, teeth and bones.

For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a series of cancer deaths that have been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their communities. The city's health department reported on Friday that it found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The announcement said the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be sufficient in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. They were banned in 1979 after being proven to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and impair learning.

Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in a variety of areas around the world. They bind tightly to organic matter, and tend to be persistent which means they are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

PCBs are a major problem for protecting the environment and public health. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA and have been proven to cause cancer in lab animals.

Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children exposed PCBs in the womb.

The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food. 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 infected with PCBs. This could be due to leaks or spills that can be caused by electrical or other equipment.

Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or through skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as Chloracne. It is a small, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that may last for weeks to years.

Union Pacific Cancer Cluster of PCBs on human health are not fully recognized. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or biliary tract cancer in humans, however more studies are needed to determine how this impacts us.

EPA is also studying whether these chemicals could cause birth defects for newborns, including low birth weight. A low birth weight has been associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in life. 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 highly toxic metal that is found in many items like paints pipes, and food cans. The body can absorb it through two routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a potent antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals present in the environment. It can accumulate in the body, which can cause serious health issues, such as cancer and other illnesses.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's assistance in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated facility.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, like creosote. Residents say that the company has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but the plan that was submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is among the most serious effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has found that soil samples from the rail yard contain higher levels of creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.

Another major concern is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. As it escapes, it causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which are harmful for 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' effects on the lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a terribly sad situation that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a type of leukemia at a five times more frequently than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.