What Is Railroad Workers And Why Is Everyone Talking About It

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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for [Redirect-302] decades that the company hasn't done enough to clean the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that contamination could still be affecting residents living nearby.

Researchers believe it could be related to elevated cancer rates in the region. Two years after launching a state-wide health investigation the researchers discovered that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the area surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a chemical commonly used to treat wood is also a typical one. It is also a cause of Cancer Lawsuits in those exposed to it.

It is a heavy, oily substance that is amber or black in color and has a smoky odor and burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

It is used in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods like fence posts and utility poles, and marine pilings. It can also be used for protecting log houses and other structures from the effects of rot and insect invasion.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote may be an extremely hazardous chemical. Short-term exposure can cause eye and skin irritation chemical burns, stomach discomfort burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems.

Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.

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

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years due to a former rail yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and continues to spread throughout the underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the effort to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test regularly for contamination and take steps to prevent the spread of the disease.

In October 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote that was emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes , causing serious health issues.

They are seeking damages from the railroad in order to cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they have suffered the effects of environmental racism and discrimination as well as other kinds of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds which do not break down quickly in the environment, and can remain in the air, water, or in sediment for a long duration. They can be found in a variety of sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't identified yet, there is evidence suggesting that they could cause serious illnesses like cancer. Higher levels of dioxin are linked to a higher risk for organ cancers, heart disease, immune problems, and endocrine issues, including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive issues, a weak immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues and hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts called chloracne.

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 volatile or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish and other seafood.

However, it is important 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 eat or drink and the amount of air you breathe. It is also crucial to consider your gender, age as well as your diet, nutritional status and family traits along with other health factors that may affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.

Furthermore, the kind of contaminant is another important aspect. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more harmful than others to human health. Polychlorinated biphenyls, Norfolk Southern Railway (take a look at the site here) also known as PCBs, are more likely than creosote to negatively impact your health.

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

For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a rash of cancer-related deaths that has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their communities. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department revealed that they discovered cancer-causing chemicals in samples of 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 plan proposed by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in industrial and household products for more than 60 years. After they were proven to cause cancer and weaken the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.

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

In the end, PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of public health and the environment. The EPA considers them a potential human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children exposed these chemicals in the womb.

PCBs are mainly consumed through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs, fish is the main source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.

Drinking and showering with PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This can result from spills or leaks that may be caused by electrical or other equipment.

Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through the skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as chloracne which is a mild, small yellow skin lesions that can last from a few weeks to a few years.

The effects of PCBs upon the human body are not fully recognized. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to understand how this impacts us.

EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects for newborns, including low birth weight. Low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. In two studies, children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower body weight at birth, and/or later in childhood.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal and [Redirect-302] can be found in many products, including pipes, paints and food containers. It is absorbed into the body via two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.

It is a potent antioxidant that can react with other chemicals in the environment. It can build up within the body and could lead to serious health issues, such as cancer and other ailments.

In Houston residents living near a creosote legacy treatment facility run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has requested the federal government to instruct the railroad to clean up the site that is contaminated.

The Union Pacific Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit has a history of polluting its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, such as creosote. Residents say that the company has been working to eliminate the contamination, but the proposal submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

One of the biggest problems that arose from the contamination is the groundwater plume under the homes in the area. A recent study conducted by health officials has revealed that soil samples from the rail yard contain higher levels of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.

Another issue is the slow escape of creosote to the atmosphere. As it does, it is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that can be 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 survey is currently being conducted in the neighborhood to learn more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of the residents.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It is a sad situation and must be resolved immediately.

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