10 Unexpected Railroad Workers Tips
Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?
For decades, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to clean up creosote in the underground air at its contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have revealed that the contamination may still be affecting people who live near.
Researchers believe it could be linked to the increased cancer rates in the region. Two years after launching an all-state health investigation the researchers discovered that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is a chemical commonly used to treat wood. It can also cause cancer in people exposed to it.
It is a dense oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.
In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other types of wood including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It is also employed to protect log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote may be a risky chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a brief periods may cause skin and eye irritation chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues and even permanent damage.
Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit -term exposure may cause skin and scrotum tumors. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.
It is considered a probable human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked to a number of cancers of various types such as esophageal or lung cancer.
Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, thanks to a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and is spreading underground.
The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the initiative to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test regularly for contamination and take steps to prevent it from spreading.
In October of 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes , causing serious health issues.
They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering, as well as damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They claim they are affected by environmental racism and discrimination and other forms of pollution that has impacted them and their families.
Dioxin
Dioxins are a class of chemicals that do not degrade quickly in the environment and they can stay in the soil, air, or sediment for an extended duration. They are found in many places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration as well as 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 illnesses such as cancer. Higher levels of dioxin are linked to a higher risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune problems, and endocrine problems, like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes and weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts known as chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most frequent way that people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble, so they are easily to be absorbed by the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products as well as fish and other seafood.
However, it is crucial to remember that the level of exposure that can have a harmful effect on your health depends on various factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat, and how often you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, your diet, and family characteristics to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.
The kind of contaminant used is also important. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to cause harm effect on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.
For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also harm the immune system and cause issues with the growth of healthy teeth, bones and bones.
For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a string of cancer-related deaths which has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their neighborhoods. The announcement made by the city's health department revealed that they found cancer-causing chemicals on surfaces near the rail yard. The release stated that the results were not encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan presented to Texas environmental regulators will not be adequate given the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for more than 60 years. After being shown to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.
Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil throughout the world. They are strong binders of organic matter, and are easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.
As a result, PCBs are a major issue for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Some studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children exposed these chemicals in the womb.
The primary route for exposure to PCBs is 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.
Another way to be exposed PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is infected with PCBs. This can happen from spills or leaks that may occur in electrical and other equipment.
Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through the skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is small pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.
The effects of PCBs upon the health of humans aren't completely recognized. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver and biliary tract cancers in humans, however more studies are needed to discover what this means for us.
The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. Two studies found that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or an earlier age.
Lead
Lead is a toxic metal that can be found in many products like paints, pipes and food containers. The body can absorb it through two main routes: respiratory and oral.
It is an extremely oxidizing chemical and can react with other substances in your environment. This can lead to its accumulation in the body and can cause serious health issues like cancer and other diseases.
Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote legacy plant have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to instruct the railroad to clean its contaminated facility.
Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has caused harm to its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents claim that the company has been working to remove the contamination but the plan that was submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.
The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is one of the most serious consequences of the contamination. A recent study by the health department has revealed that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples near the rail yard is greater than the recommended level for drinking water.
Another concern is the slow escape of creosote into the atmosphere. It causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which could be fatal for both children as well as adults.
It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in those who inhale them. To find out more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.
This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very tragic situation that needs to be addressed immediately.
A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a type leukemia at a five-fold more frequently than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.