There Are Myths And Facts Behind Railroad Workers
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 the underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. Now, the most recent tests suggest that the contamination could still be affecting people who live nearby.
Researchers believe that it could be due to the high rate of cancers that are found in the area. Two years into a state health investigation the researchers found higher than anticipated rates of childhood leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote which is a common chemical that is used to treat wood, is also a common one. It is also a poisonous substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.
It is a heavy oily substance, amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.
It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods, like fence posts, utility poles, as well as marine pilings. It is also used for protecting log structures and homes against decay and insect infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote can be an extremely hazardous chemical. Short-term exposure can cause skin and eye irritation chemical burns stomach pain and burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems.
Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.
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According to the EPA it is a possible human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with several cancers such as esophageal cancer as well as lung cancer.
Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote thanks to a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil and continues to spread underground.
The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to 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 issues as a result of the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering and damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They claim that they have been harmed by racism in the environment discrimination, sexism, and other kinds of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.
Dioxin
Dioxins are substances that don't break down in environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, soil, or sediment for a lengthy period. They can be found in many places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration and hazardous waste.
The health effects of dioxin are not known at low levels, but there is evidence that dioxin can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune-related issues and endocrine issues including hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive issues, a weak immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues as well as hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts called chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method that people are exposed dioxin is through drinking or eating. They are not volatile or water-soluble so they are more easily absorbed by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.
It is important to remember that exposure to dioxins could affect your health, depending on many aspects, such as the amount you consume, drink, and the frequency you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender, age, nutrition, and family traits to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.
Additionally, the type of contaminant is an important aspect. The EPA states that certain toxic substances are more likely to have a negative impact on human health than others. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.
https://note1s.com/notes/Y1JBK68 can cause damage to eyes and liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system of the person and affect the development of healthy bones and teeth.
Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster of cancer deaths that are that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. https://cooperative-swam-w8522v.mystrikingly.com/blog/the-largest-issue-that-comes-with-railroad-workers-and-cancer-and-how-you is situated next to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department revealed that they had found cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. https://russell-langhoff.mdwrite.net/15-reasons-to-not-ignore-cancer-lawsuit-settlements-1681710186 stated that 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 also said that a plan that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient in light of the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. After they were proven to cause cancer and weaken the immune system 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 extremely binders to organic matter, and tend to remain in the environment for a long time that means they are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.
This is why PCBs are a major threat for the protection of public health and the environment. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.
In addition, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children exposed to these chemicals in the womb.
The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Fish is the most common source of exposure, as they contain the highest amount of PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef, and other agricultural products.
Another way to be exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is polluted with PCBs. This could be due to leaks or spills that can be caused by electrical or other equipment.
People may also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or by skin contact. These chemicals can trigger a condition called chloracne, which is a small, pale, yellow skin lesions that can last from a few weeks to a few years.
However the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet fully recognized. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver or the biliary tract cancers among humans, however more studies are needed to discover how this affects us.
EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns, like less weight at birth. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, 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 many products, such as pipes, paints, and food cans. The body absorbs it through two main routes: oral and respiratory.
It is a strong oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals in the surrounding. This can cause it to accumulate within the body. This can cause serious health issues like cancer and other ailments.
In Houston the residents who live near a creosote legacy treatment plant run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the assistance of the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated facility.
The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, such as creosote. Residents claim that the railroad has been working to remove the contamination but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.
The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is one of the most dangerous effects of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has shown that soil samples taken from the rail yard have an increased amount of creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.
Another concern is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. As it is, it causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which are toxic for both children and adults.
It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in those who breathe them. A door-to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the area to learn more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of the residents.
This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very sad situation that must be addressed immediately.
A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher in 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 neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.