Railroad Workers Tips From The Top In The Business
Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?
Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn’t taken the necessary steps to clean the underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. And now, the most recent tests suggest that the contamination could continue to affect people who live near.
Researchers believe it could be due to the high incidence of cancers that are found in the area. Two years into a state health investigation, they found higher-than-expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote, a common chemical, is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a harmful substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it.
It is a thick oily substance that's black or amber in appearance and has a smoky smell and a burnt flavor. It is a coal tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preservative.
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 can also be used for protecting log homes and other structures against insects and rot.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states creosote is a hazardous chemical. Cancer Lawsuit to creosote over brief periods may cause irritation to the eyes and skin, chemical burns, stomach discomfort, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues, and even permanent damage.
Long-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 thought to be a probable human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked with many types of cancer such as esophageal cancer as well as lung cancer.
Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, due to a railroad yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and is spreading underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination regularly and adopt preventative measures to stop the spread.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil and caused significant health problems as a result of the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation from the railroad to pay the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they have been harmed by environmental racism discrimination, sexism, and other types of pollution that has affected their families and themselves.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemical compounds that do not break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, soil or sediment for a long time. They can be found in many places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration and hazardous waste.
Although the effects of dioxin on health in low concentrations aren't identified but there is evidence that they can trigger serious diseases like cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher are linked to a higher risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune problems, and endocrine issues including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to problems with hormones, immune suppression womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most frequent way people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking water or food. They are not water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of dairy products, fish or other seafood.
It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure to dioxins could affect your health depending on many factors like how much you consume, drink, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, nutritional status, and family characteristics to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.
The type of contaminant crucial. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative effect on the human body than others. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.
For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They can also harm 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 series of cancer deaths that has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their communities. Friday's announcement by the city's health department said that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. The release stated that the results 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 suffice.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. These chemicals were banned in 1979 following being discovered to cause cancer, weaken the immune system and inhibit learning.
Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in a variety of areas around the world. They are strong binders of organic matter that can be easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.
This is why PCBs are a major threat for the protection of public health and the environment. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been shown to cause cancer in lab animals.
Some studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals in the womb.
The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Fish are the primary source of exposure, as they are the largest source of PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.
Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This can be caused by leaks or spills that occur in electrical equipment and other.
People can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or through skin contact. These chemicals can cause the condition known as chloracne which is a tiny, pale yellow skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.
However, Cancer Lawsuits of PCBs on human health aren't fully recognized. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver and biliary tract cancer 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 to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. 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
Cancer Lawsuits is a toxic metal that is present in a variety of products like paints, pipes, and food cans. The body absorbs it via two routes: respiratory and oral.
It is an extremely antioxidant that can react with other chemicals present in the environment. This can lead to it accumulating 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 facility have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government for an order to the railroad to remove its contaminated facility.
The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals for humans, such as creosote. Residents have claimed that the company has been working to clean up contamination but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.
One of the most significant problems that stemmed from the contamination was the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the area. A recent study conducted by health officials has revealed that soil samples from the rail yard have a higher concentration of creosote than what is required for drinking water.
Another concern is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. As it does, it is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which are harmful to children as well as adults.
It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in people who inhale them. A door-to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the area to discover more about how the vapors are impacting the residents' lives.
This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation and should be addressed immediately.
A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher for children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens areas than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than in other areas of Texas.