The Little Known Benefits Of Railroad Workers

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 contaminated rail yard. Railroad Workers Cancer have shown that the contamination could be in the vicinity of residents.

Researchers believe it could be due to the large number of cancers found in the region. Two years into a state-wide health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote which is a common chemical used for the treatment of wood is also a typical one. It is also a toxic substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.





It is a heavy oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preservative.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other kinds of wood, including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used for protecting log houses and other structures from insects and rot.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is potentially dangerous chemical. Exposure to creosote for short periods of time can cause irritation to the eyes and skin and chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues, and even permanent damage.

Exposure for long periods can lead to skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.

According to the EPA the EPA, it is a possible human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety of different types of cancer, including esophageal and 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 say the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.

Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination on a regular basis and implement preventative measures to prevent the spread.

In October of 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil under their homes and causing serious health problems.

They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering, as well as damages from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other costs. They claim to have been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other kinds of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals that don't break down in the environment quickly and can remain in the air, water soil, or sediment for a long period. They are found in a variety places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration and hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are not known at low levels, however there is evidence that they may cause cancer as well as other serious diseases. People who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to be at greater risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune system problems, and endocrine changes, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues and hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most common way people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They aren't liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

It is vital to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins could be detrimental to your health, based on numerous factors , including how much you drink, eat, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family characteristics to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.

In addition, the form of contaminant is another important factor. According to the EPA, some toxins are more dangerous than others to the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs, are more likely than creosote affect your health.

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

For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a rash of cancer-related deaths that has been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department stated that it found cancer-causing chemicals on surface samples near 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 submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are harmful chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. After being shown to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system PCBs were banned in 1979.

PCBs can cause contamination of soil, water, and air in many parts of the world once they are released into the environment. They bind strongly to organic matter, and tend to be persistent which means they are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

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

Some studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children exposed these chemicals during the womb.

PCBs are most often ingested through food items. 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.

Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This could be the result of leaks or spillages in electrical equipment and other.

People are also exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin contact. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as chloracne which is small, pale yellow skin lesions which can be present for a period of weeks or years.

However, the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely understood. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However further research is required to better understand how this affects us.

EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, such as less weight at birth. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, 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 highly toxic metal that is found in many products, such as paints, pipes, and food cans. It can be absorbed by the body through two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a powerful antioxidant that can react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It is able to accumulate in the body, and could cause serious health issues such as cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant are at a high risk of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to order the railroad to clean its contaminated site.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having its rail yard contaminated in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, like creosote. Residents claim that the railroad has been working to clean up contamination but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

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

Another concern is the slow evaporation of creosote in the air. As it is, it causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that are harmful for children as well as adults.

It is also possible that the particles are causing cancers among the residents who breathe them in. A door-to door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to discover more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of the residents.

This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very tragic situation that must be addressed immediately.

A recent study 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 that was five times higher rate than the average. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these areas than in other areas of Texas.