Revision as of 19:46, 13 April 2023 by 78.157.213.58 (talk) (Created page with "[https://checkbookmarks.com/story14958983/20-things-you-need-to-be-educated-about-cancer-lawsuit-settlements Union Pacific Houston Cancer] - Is Creosote Still Affecting Housto...")(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)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 plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. And now, the most recent tests show that the contamination could still be affecting people who live nearby.Researchers believe it's due to the high number of cancers in the area. Two years after launching an all-state health investigation Researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote is a popular chemical used in the treatment of wood is also a popular one. It is also a cause of cancer in those who are exposed to it.It is a heavy oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smokey 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.It is employed in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods like fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings for marine use. It can also be used to shield log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote could be a risky chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause irritation of the skin and eyes and chemical burns stomach discomfort and burning in the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems.Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum cancers. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.It is considered a probable 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 because of a former railroad yard right next to their homes. They claim the chemical has contaminated their homes and soil, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to prevent it from spreading.A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused significant health issues as a result of the former rail yard.They are seeking compensation from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim that they have been victimized by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that have impacted them and their families.DioxinDioxins are a class of chemicals that do not break down quickly in the environment and they can remain in the soil, air, or sediment for an extended period of. They can be derived from many sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels aren't yet known however, there is evidence to suggest that they could cause serious diseases like cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked with an increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease immune issues, and endocrine issues like hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger problems with hormones, immune suppression and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most prevalent way people are exposed to the toxins is through food and water. They are not liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of dairy products or fish and other seafood.It is important to remember that exposure to chemicals can cause harm to your health depending on many aspects, such as the amount you eat, drink, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also crucial to take into consideration your gender, age, diet, nutritional status and family traits along with other health factors that can determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.Additionally, the type of contaminant is another important factor. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more harmful than others to human health. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.PCBs can cause damage to eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also harm the immune system and cause issues with the growth of healthy bones, teeth and bones.Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster cancer deaths linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located next to their homes. Union Pacific Cancer reported on Friday that it found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The announcement said 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 proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for over 60 years. They were banned in 1979 following being found to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and impair learning.After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in many areas of the world. They are strong binders for organic matter that can be transported easily and accumulated in the environment.PCBs are a major concern for protecting the environment as well as public health. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been found to cause cancer in lab animals.Additionally, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children exposed these chemicals while pregnant.PCBs are mainly consumed 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.Another method of being exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that has been affected by PCBs. This could be due to leaks or spills from electrical or other equipment.Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin. Railroad Workers Cancer can trigger the condition known as Chloracne. This is a tiny, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.The effects of PCBs upon human health are not fully known. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or biliary tract cancer in humans, but further research is needed to find out how this impacts us.The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborn babies. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in the course of. Two studies found that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or an earlier age.LeadLead is a toxic metal that can be found in many items, such as paints, pipes and food cans. The body can absorb it through two major routes: respiratory and oral.It is an extremely antioxidant that can react with other chemicals in the environment. It is able to accumulate within the body and could lead to serious health issues like cancer and other ailments.In Houston, people who live near a creosote treatment plant run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's help in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated site.Union Pacific Railroad has a long history of having been a source of contamination for its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The railroad has been trying to eliminate the mess, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough, residents say.One of the most significant problems that resulted from the contamination is the groundwater plume under the homes in the area. A recent study conducted by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples around the rail yard is higher than the levels recommended for drinking water.Another cause for concern is the gradual release of creosote into the atmosphere. As it escapes, it is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that are harmful to children as well as adults.It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in people who inhale them. A door-to-door health assessment is being conducted in the neighborhood to understand how the vapors impact the lives of residents.This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It is a sad situation and must be resolved immediately.A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a type of leukemia at a five times greater rate than what was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.