10 Unexpected Railroad Workers Tips

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. The latest tests show the contamination could continue to affect those who live near.

Researchers believe it is due to the large number of cancers in the area. Two years after launching an investigation into health issues across the state the researchers discovered that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a popular chemical used for the treatment of wood, is also a common one. It can also cause cancer in those who are exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance which is black or amber-colored and has a smokey odor and burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.

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 is also used to shield log homes and other structures from insect infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be a potentially dangerous chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for short periods of time can cause irritation to the eyes and skin chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of mouth or throat as well as liver or kidney problems and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum tumors. This is a significant concern for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

According to the EPA it is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a variety of cancers of various types, including esophageal and lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades, thanks to a former rail yard 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 want the company to test frequently for contamination and take steps to stop 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 serious health problems as a result of the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to help cover the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They claim they've suffered the effects of environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals that do not degrade quickly in the environment and they can remain in the air, water, soil or sediment for a lengthy period of time. They are found in a variety places in natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are not clear at low levels, but there is evidence that dioxin can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. Patients who are exposed at higher levels of dioxin are found to be at a higher risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune system problems, and endocrine issues, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes as well as hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts, known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most popular way 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.

However, it is important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that will have a harmful effect on your health depends on several factors, such as the amount you eat or drink, how often you drink or eat, and the amount of air you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and age, nutritional status, and family traits to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.

The kind of contaminant is also crucial. According to the EPA, some toxins are more dangerous than others for human health. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.

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

For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a rash of cancer deaths that has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their homes. The city's health department announced on Friday that it found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The release stated that the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he plans to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal presented to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be adequate in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for more than 60 years. PCBs were banned in 1979 following being found to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and hinder learning.

After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water across the world. They bind strongly to organic matter and are often persistent which means they are easy to transport and build up in the environment.

In the end, PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of public health and the environment. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been found to cause cancer in lab animals.

In addition, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals during the 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 can result from leaks or spills that can be caused by electrical or other equipment.

People may also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can cause a condition called chloracne, which is a mild, small yellow skin lesions that can last from a few weeks to a few years.

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

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

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal that is found in many items including paints, pipes and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two major routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a strong chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other substances in your environment. This can lead to it accumulating within the body. This can cause serious health issues such as cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested assistance from the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated 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, such as creosote.  Cancer Lawsuits  has tried to get rid of the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents believe.

The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is among the most grave effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the health department shows that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples from the rail yard is much higher than the level recommended for drinking water.

Another issue is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. As it is, it causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors, which are harmful for children as well as adults.

It is also possible that vapors are causing cancers in the residents who are breathing the vapors. To learn more about the impact of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being done in the neighborhood.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very tragic situation that must be addressed immediately.

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