What Is Railroad Workers And How To Use It
Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?
Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn’t done enough to clean up an underground plume that is contaminated rail yard. Recent tests have revealed that the contamination may be an issue for residents living nearby.
Researchers believe it could be due to higher cancer rates in the region. Two years after launching an investigation into health issues across the state and a study by researchers, they found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is one of the most common chemicals that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a harmful substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.
It is a dense oily substance, amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.
It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods, like fence posts and utility poles, and pilings for marine structures. It is also used to guard log houses and other structures from insects and rot.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote may be an extremely hazardous chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for short periods can cause irritation to the eyes and skin, chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of throat or mouth, kidney or liver problems, and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum tumors. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.
According to the EPA It is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a variety of cancers of various types including esophageal and lung cancer.
Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote due to a former railroad yard close to their homes. The chemical is said to have contaminated their homes and soil and continues to spread underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to prevent the spread.
In October 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote had contaminated their soil, causing significant health problems as a result of the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering as well as compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. aplastic anemia caused by railroad how to get a settlement claim that they are suffering from environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other types of pollution that have impacted them and their families.
Dioxin
Dioxins are substances that don't break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, water soil, or sediment for a lengthy period. They can be found in a variety places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration and hazardous waste.
Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels are not known but there is evidence that they could cause serious illnesses , such as cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune disorders, and endocrine issues, including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal issues, suppressed immunity womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most common way people are exposed is through food and water. They are not water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of dairy products, fish, and other seafood.
But it is important to be aware that the amount of exposure that could have a harmful effect on your health is dependent on various factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you eat or drink and the amount of air you breathe. It is also essential to consider your age, gender, diet, nutritional status and family characteristics in addition to other factors in your health that could affect your risk of being affected by dioxins or not.
The type of contaminant is crucial. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging effect on the human body than others. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.
PCBs can cause damage to eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also damage the immune system of the person and interfere with the development of healthy teeth and bones.
Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster of cancer deaths that are caused by the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated close to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department claimed that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples near the rail yard. The announcement said the findings were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in consumer and industrial products. They were banned in 1979 following they were found to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and impair learning.
Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil throughout the world. They bind tightly to organic matter, and are generally persistent and therefore, are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.
PCBs are a major problem for the protection of the environment and public health. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been proven to cause cancer in lab animals.
Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children who have been exposed to 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.
Showering and drinking water is another method of exposure. This can be caused by leaks or spills from electrical and other equipment.
Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through their skin. These chemicals can cause a condition called chloracne, which is small, pale yellow skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.
The effects of PCBs on human health are still not completely recognized. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, but more studies are needed to understand what this means for us.
EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, like lower birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. 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 that is found in a variety of items including paints, pipes and food containers. The body absorbs it through two routes: oral and respiratory.
It is a strong antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It can accumulate within the body, which could lead to serious health issues such as cancer and other diseases.
Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant are at a high risk of cancer. The city has asked for assistance from the federal government in the cleanup of 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 for humans, such as creosote. Residents claim that the railroad has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but the plan that was submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.
One of the biggest issues that resulted from the contamination is the groundwater plume beneath homes in the area. A recent study by the health department has shown that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples near the rail yard is greater than the levels recommended for drinking water.
Another cause for concern is the gradual release of creosote to the atmosphere. As it is, it causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that are harmful to children as well as adults.
It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer for those who inhale them. To find out more about the effects 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 communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation that needs to be addressed immediately.
A Department of State Health Services study found that the rate of leukemia was five times higher among children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.