What Is The Best Place To Research Railroad Workers Online

Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn't done enough to clean up an underground plume contaminated rail yard. The most recent tests have shown that the contamination could be in the vicinity of residents.

Researchers say it may be linked to the increased cancer rates in the region. Two years into a state health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a common chemical used in the treatment of wood. It can cause cancer in people exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance, amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.

It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, including fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings for marine use. It can also be employed to protect log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote can be a dangerous chemical. Exposure to creosote for brief periods may cause skin and eye irritation and chemical burns, stomach pains, burning in the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues, and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum tumors. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.

It is considered a probable human carcinogen, according to the EPA. It has been linked to a range of cancers of various types, including esophageal and lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time, thanks 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.





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 stop it from spreading.

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

Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering as well as compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They also claim that they are victimized by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that has affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, the soil of the water or in sediment for a long period. They can be found in diverse sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't yet known however, there is evidence to suggest that they can cause serious illnesses , such as cancer. People who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to be at risk of heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune system issues and endocrine imbalances such as hormonal imbalances. Railroad Workers can also cause hormonal problems, suppressed immunity 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 aren't volatile or water-soluble, 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 could have adverse effects on your health is dependent on several factors, such as the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you consume alcohol or food, and the amount of air you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender, age, nutrition, and family traits to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.

In addition, the type of contaminant is an important aspect. According to the EPA certain toxins are more harmful than others to the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs, are more likely than creosote cause harm to your health.

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

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster of cancers that have been that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is next to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department stated that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. The release stated that the findings were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. After they were proven to cause cancer and suppress the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

PCBs can contaminate soil and water as well as air in many parts around the globe after they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter and are generally persistent and therefore, are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

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

Furthermore, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children who have been exposed to these chemicals during pregnancy.

The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.

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

Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as chloracne which is small, pale, yellow skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.

The effects of PCBs upon human health are not completely recognized. Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts have suggested they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, however more studies are needed to determine the extent to which this impacts us.

The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborn babies. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked with 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 PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or later in life.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that is found in many items, such as paints, pipes and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.

It is a strong antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals found in the environment. This can lead to it accumulating in the body and can cause serious health issues like cancer, among other ailments.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked the federal government for an order to the railroad to cleanse its toxic 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, including creosote. Residents claim 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.

One of the most important problems that resulted from the contamination is the groundwater plume beneath homes in the area. A recent study conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain an increased amount of creosote than that recommended for drinking water.

Another reason to be concerned is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. It is causing residents to inhale toxic levels of vapors which can be fatal for children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in those who inhale them. To find out more about the effect of the vapors on the lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being done in the neighborhood.

This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation that needs to be dealt with immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher among children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than in other areas of Texas.