20 Railroad Workers Websites Taking The Internet By Storm

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 the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. And now, the latest tests show that the contamination could continue to affect people who live nearby.

Researchers suggest it could be related to elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years into a health study conducted by the state they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is one of the most common chemicals used to treat wood. It is also a poisonous substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.

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

It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, such as fence posts and utility poles, and pilings for marine use. It is also used for protecting log houses and other structures from the effects of rot and insect invasion.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is an extremely dangerous chemical. Exposure to creosote for brief periods may cause irritation to the eyes and skin chemical burns, stomach discomfort, burning of the throat or mouth as well as liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.

Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum tumors. This is a significant concern for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA It is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a number of different types of cancer such as esophageal or lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time due to the former rail yard that was 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 forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination , and take steps to prevent it from spreading.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes , causing significant health problems.

They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering, as well as damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim 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 substances that don't break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, soil, or sediment for long periods. They can be found in various sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin aren't clear at low levels, but there is evidence that suggests they can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune-related issues and endocrine disorders, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal issues, weakened immunity and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most prevalent way people are exposed is through food and water. They are not volatile or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish and other seafood.

It is important to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins could affect your health, depending on many aspects, such as the amount you drink, eat, and how often you breathe. It is also crucial to consider your gender, age as well as your diet, nutritional status and family characteristics in addition to other factors in your health that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.

Furthermore, the kind of contaminant is an important factor. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more harmful than others for human health. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.

PCBs can cause damage to eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also damage the immune system and cause issues in the development of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster of cancers that have been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated close to their homes. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department stated that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples near the rail yard. The release 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. These substances were banned in 1979, after being found to cause cancer, weaken the immune system and inhibit learning.

When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water throughout the world. They are strong binding agents of organic matter that can be easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

Therefore, PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of public health and the environment. The EPA is adamant that they are a carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals during pregnancy.

The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Since  colon cancer caused by railroad how to get a settlement  are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Another way to be exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is polluted with PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spills that can be caused by electrical or other equipment.

People can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or through skin contact. These chemicals can cause a condition called chloracne, which is a small, pale skin lesions that can last from a few weeks to a few years.

The effects of PCBs on the health of humans aren't fully recognized. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However, more research is needed to discover how this impacts us.

The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies found that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or a later age.

Lead

Lead is a highly toxic metal that is present in a variety of products like paints, pipes and food containers. The body can absorb it through two routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a powerful antioxidant and can react with other chemicals present in the environment. It can accumulate within the body, which can lead to serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to instruct the railroad to clean its contaminated site.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic for humans, such as creosote. The company has been working to remove the mess, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents claim.

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

Another issue is the gradual release of creosote in the air. It is causing residents to inhale dangerous levels of vapors, which could be fatal for both children and adults.

It is also possible that vapors are causing cancers in the residents who are breathing them in. A door-to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the area to learn more about how the vapors impact the lives of residents.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a pity and should be taken care of immediately.

A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a form of leukemia at five times more frequently than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.