Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits. Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in!Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?<br /><br /> [https://notes.io/qMijm Railroad Cancer] have complained for years that the company hasnβt done enough to clean the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. Recent tests have revealed that contamination could still be affecting residents living nearby.<br /><br />Researchers say it may be due to higher cancer rates in the region. Two years into a state-wide health investigation and they found higher than expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.<br /><br />Creosote<br /><br />Creosote, a common chemical, is that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a cause of cancer in those who are exposed to it.<br /><br />It is a thick oily substance, from 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 more than 150 years as a wood preservative.<br /><br />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 can also be used for protecting log homes and other structures against insects and rot.<br /><br />According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be an extremely dangerous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause irritation of the skin and eyes as well as chemical burns, stomach pain, burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues.<br /><br />Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum carcinomas. This is a significant concern for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.<br /><br />According to the EPA, it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a range kinds of cancers including esophageal and lung cancer.<br /><br /> [https://controlc.com/1e7cdd2f Railroad Cancer] of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades due to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil and continues to spread underground.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and adopt preventative measures to stop the spread.<br /><br />A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote that was emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes , causing serious health issues.<br /><br />They are seeking compensation from the railroad to pay the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they've suffered the effects of environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that affected their families as well as them.<br /><br />Dioxin<br /><br />Dioxins are a class of chemicals that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly and can remain in the air, water soil or in sediment for a long time. They can be found in many sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.<br /><br />The health effects of dioxin aren't clear at low levels, however there is evidence that suggests they may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. Patients who are exposed at higher levels of dioxin have been found to be at risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system problems and endocrine issues including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes, hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts, known as chloracne.<br /><br />According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking water or food. They are not liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of dairy products or fish and other seafood.<br /><br />However, it is crucial to remember that the amount of exposure that will have negative effects on your health is dependent on various factors, including the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you drink or eat, and the amount of air you breathe. It is also crucial to take into consideration your gender, age as well as your diet, nutritional status and family traits along with other factors in your health that could determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.<br /><br />In addition, the type of contaminant is also an important aspect. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to have a damaging impact on human health than others. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.<br /><br />PCBs can cause damage to eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system of a person and interfere with the development of healthy bones and teeth.<br /><br />For years, residents in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a rash of cancer-related deaths which has been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their neighborhoods. The city's health department said on Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The announcement said the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to sue Union Pacific over the matter and also said that a plan that he submitted to Texas environmental regulators won't be adequate in light of the findings.<br /><br />Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)<br /><br />PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in consumer and industrial products. After being found to cause cancer and weaken the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.<br /><br />PCBs can contaminate soil or water as well as air in many regions of the world once they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter and are generally persistent, meaning they are relatively easy to transport and build up in the environment.<br /><br />PCBs are a major issue for the protection of the environment and public health. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in lab animals.<br /><br />Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who are exposed to these chemicals in the womb.<br /><br />The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food. Fish is the primary source of exposure because they contain the most PCBs. But, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.<br /><br />Drinking and showering with PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This can be caused by leaks or spills that occur in electrical equipment and other.<br /><br />Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through their skin. These chemicals can trigger a condition called chloracne, which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.<br /><br />The effects of PCBs on human health are still not completely recognized. Researchers have suggested that they could cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However, more research is needed to better understand how this impacts us.<br /><br />The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborn babies. The low birth weight of newborns 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.<br /><br />Lead<br /><br />Lead is a toxic metal and is found in a wide range of products, including pipes, paints, and food cans. The body absorbs it via two routes: the respiratory and oral.<br /><br />It is a powerful antioxidant that can react with other chemicals present in the environment. It is able to accumulate within the body and could cause serious health issues, such as cancer and other illnesses.<br /><br />Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy are at risk of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to order the railroad to clean up its toxic site.<br /><br />Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents have claimed that the company has been working to eliminate the contamination, but the proposal submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.<br /><br />The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is among the most grave consequences of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has revealed that soil samples from the rail yard contain more creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.<br /><br />Another concern is the gradual release of creosote to the atmosphere. As it escapes, it causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors, which are harmful for children as well as adults.<br /><br />It is also possible that gases are causing cancers in the residents who breathe the vapors in. A door-to-door health survey is currently being carried out in the neighborhood to understand how the vapors impact the lives of the residents.<br /><br /> [https://isaksen-malik-2.mdwrite.net/10-union-pacific-houston-cancer-tips-all-experts-recommend-1681557509 Railroad Cancer] is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a pity and it should be taken care of immediately.<br /><br />A recent study by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a form leukemia at a five-fold higher rate than the average. [https://alexandersen-bain.blogbright.net/do-you-think-railroad-injury-settlement-amounts-never-rule-the-world-1681558030 Cancer Lawsuit Settlements] found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these neighborhoods than in other areas of Texas.<br /><br /> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Disgaea Wiki may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Disgaea Wiki:Copyrights for details). Do not submit copyrighted work without permission! Cancel Editing help (opens in new window)