Why Everyone Is Talking About Railroad Workers Right Now

Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn’t taken the necessary steps to clean up an underground plume that is contaminated rail yard. And now, the most recent tests have revealed that the contamination may continue to affect those who live near.

Researchers suggest it could be due to higher cancer rates in the region. 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 which is a common chemical that is used to treat wood, is also a common one. It is also a cause of cancer in those who are exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance, amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a bitter taste. It is a coal tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

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

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote may be an extremely hazardous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause irritation of the skin and eyes and chemical burns stomach pain, burning of the mouth or throat 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 or other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.





It is believed to be a human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked with a variety of different types of cancer, including esophageal and lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote due to a railroad yard right next to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil and is spreading underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the initiative to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test frequently for contamination and take measures to prevent it from spreading.

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

They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering and damages from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other costs. They claim that they have been suffering from environmental racism and discrimination, in addition to 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 . They can be left in the air, the soil of the water, or sediment for a long period. They can be found in a variety places in natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration as well as hazardous waste.

Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels aren't well-studied yet, there is evidence suggesting that they can cause serious illnesses like cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease, immune problems, and endocrine issues, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive issues, a weak immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes as well as weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements (USEPA), the most prevalent 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 meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.

But it is important to remember that the amount of exposure that could have a harmful effect on your health is contingent upon several factors, such as the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you drink or eat and how much air you breathe. It is also important to take into consideration your age, gender as well as your diet, nutritional status and family characteristics and other health factors that may affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.

The type of contaminant is also important. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to cause harm impact on health than others. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.

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

For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a string of cancer deaths that have been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their communities. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department claimed that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. The release noted that the results were not encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal presented to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. These substances were banned in 1979, after being found to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and interfere with learning.

Railroad Workers can infect soil and water as well as air in a variety of regions around the globe after they are released into the environment. They are powerful binders of organic matter, and are easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.

PCBs are a major issue to protect the environment and public health. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been found to cause cancer in lab animals.

Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals while during the pregnancy.

The primary route of exposure to PCBs is 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 method of exposure. This can be caused by leaks or spills from electrical equipment and other.

People may also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin contact. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as Chloracne. This is small, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last from weeks or even years.

However, the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However it is necessary to conduct more research to determine how this impacts us.

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease 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 toxic metal and is found in many products, including paints, pipes and food containers. The body absorbs it through two routes: the respiratory and oral.

It is a strong chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals present in your environment. This can cause it to accumulate within the body and lead to serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.

Cancer Lawsuit who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to instruct the railroad to clean its toxic site.

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

The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is one of the most grave consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the department of health shows that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples in the rail yard is greater than the recommended levels for drinking water.

Another issue is the slow release of creosote into the atmosphere. It can cause residents to breathe harmful levels of vapors which could cause death for both children and adults.

It is also possible that particles are causing cancers among the residents who breathe the vapors in. A door-to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the area to understand how the vapors impact the lives of residents.

This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation that must be dealt with immediately.

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