What Experts From The Field Of Railroad Workers Want You To Learn
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 the creosote sludge that is buried at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the latest tests have revealed that the contamination may continue to affect those who live near.
Researchers believe it could be due to the large number of cancers in the region. Two years after launching a state-wide health investigation and a study by researchers, they found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is a popular chemical that is used to treat wood, is also a common one. It can cause cancer in those exposed to it.
It is a dense oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a burnt taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.
In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other types of wood including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It can also be used for protecting log structures and homes from rot and insect infestation.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote, according to the EPA, is a potentially dangerous chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for short periods of time can cause irritation to the eyes and skin as well as chemical burns stomach pains, burning in the throat or mouth, kidney or liver problems and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious concern for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.
According to the EPA it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with many types of cancer, including esophageal as well as lung cancer.
Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote due to a former railroad yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil, and continues to spread underground.
The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the initiative to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and adopt preventative measures to stop the spread.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action 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 serious health issues.
They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering, as well as damages from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They claim they've been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.
Dioxin
Dioxins are substances that do not break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, the soil of the water, or sediment for a long period. They can come from diverse sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.
The health effects of dioxin are unclear at low levels, however there is evidence that they can cause cancer and other serious illnesses. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease immune disorders, and endocrine problems, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal issues, weakened immunity womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most frequent way that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking water or food. They aren't volatile and water-soluble, so they are easily absorbable by the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products fish, and other seafood.
However, it is important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that has a harmful effect on your health will depend on numerous factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat, and how much air you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender and age, nutritional status, and family traits to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.
Additionally, the type of contaminant is an important factor. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative impact on health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs are more likely than creosote have a negative effect on your health.
PCBs can cause damage to the eyes, liver, kidneys, and kidneys. They also can harm the immune system and cause problems with the development of healthy teeth, bones, and bones.
Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancers that have been that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located close to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department stated that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. Lung Cancer Lawsuit Settlements said the results were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he plans to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be adequate in light of the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. These substances were banned in 1979 after being proven to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and interfere with learning.
PCBs can cause contamination of soil, water, and air in a variety of regions of the globe once they are released into the environment. They bind strongly to organic matter, and tend to be persistent which means they are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.
PCBs are a major issue to protect the environment and public health. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Additionally, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who are exposed to these chemicals in the womb.
The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, 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 has been affected by PCBs. This could be caused by leaks or spills from electrical equipment and other.
People are also exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or through skin contact. These chemicals can cause a condition called Chloracne. It is a small pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last for weeks or even years.
However, the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely understood. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, however more research is needed to find out how this affects us.
The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborn babies. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies showed that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or later in life.
Lead
Lead is a toxic metal and can be found in a wide range of products, including pipes, paints, and food cans. It can be absorbed by the body through two main pathways: oral and respiratory.
It is a powerful oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals in the environment. It is able to accumulate in the body, and could lead to serious health issues like cancer and other illnesses.
Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote legacy plant have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to order the railroad to remove its toxic site.
Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has been a source of contamination for its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. Residents claim that the railroad has been trying to clean up contamination but the plan submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.
Groundwater plume below the homes in the affected area is one of the most severe effects of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard have an increased amount of creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.
Another issue is the slow evaporation of creosote in the air. As it does, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that can be harmful to children as well as adults.
It is possible that the vapors cause cancer among those who inhale them. A door-to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the neighborhood to discover more about how the vapors are impacting the lives of the residents.
This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very sad situation that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
A Department of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates were five times higher for children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens areas than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.