5 Railroad Workers Lessons From The Pros

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. Recent tests have revealed that contamination is still impacting residents living near.

Researchers believe it could be linked to the increased cancer rates in the area. Two years into a health study conducted by the state the researchers found higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote, a common chemical used in the treatment of wood, is also a common one. It can cause cancer in people who are exposed to it.

It is a dense oily substance, amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been in use for more than 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.

It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, including fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings for marine use. It is also used to protect log homes and other structures against decay and insect infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be a chemical that could be dangerous. The exposure to creosote over brief periods may cause irritation to the eyes and skin as well as chemical burns stomach discomfort, burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum tumors. This is a serious issue for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

It is believed to be a human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked to several cancers 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 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 demand that the company test frequently for contamination and take measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017.  Cancer Lawsuit Settlements  claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil, causing significant health problems from the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to pay the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim that they have been suffering from environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other forms of pollution that have affected them and their families.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals which do not break down quickly in the environment, and they can remain in the air, water, soil or sediment for an extended time. They are found in many places in natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration as well as hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health aren't clear at low levels, but there is evidence that dioxin can cause cancer and other serious diseases. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers, immune problems, and endocrine problems, including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause problems with hormones, immune suppression womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.

According to the U.S.  Railroad Cancer Lawsuit , the most common way that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking or eating. They aren't volatile and water-soluble, so they are easily absorbed by the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.

It is important to remember, however, that exposure to chemicals can be detrimental to your health, based on numerous aspects, such as the amount you drink, eat and the frequency you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender, age, nutrition, and family characteristics to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.

In addition, the form of contaminant is another important aspect. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative impact on human health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, are more likely than creosote negatively impact your health.

PCBs can cause damage to eyes, liver, kidneys, and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system and cause problems with the growth of healthy bones, teeth and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located next to their homes. The city's health department said on Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The announcement said 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 proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators will not suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. After being shown to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system PCBs were banned in 1979.

Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in many areas of the world. They are strong binders for organic matter, and are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

As a result, PCBs are a major issue for the protection of public health and the environment.  Railroad Cancer Lawsuit  considers them to be a possible human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Additionally, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children exposed PCBs in the womb.

PCBs are most often ingested through food items. Fish is the main source of exposure, since they are the source of the most PCBs. But, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This could be due to leaks or spills that occur in electrical or other equipment.

Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or through their skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as chloracne which is a tiny, pale, yellow skin lesions that can last from a few weeks to a few years.

However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely recognized. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However it is necessary to conduct more research to better understand how this impacts us.

EPA has also been investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns, like less weight at birth. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, 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

Lead is a toxic metal and is found in a variety of products, including pipes, paints, and food cans. It is absorbed by the body via two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.

It is a potent chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other chemicals in your environment. This can lead to its accumulation within the body. This can cause serious health issues such as cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant are at risk of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's help in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated site.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contamination of its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, including creosote. Residents claim that the company has been trying to get rid of the pollution, but the plan that was submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

One of the major problems that stemmed due to the contamination is the groundwater plume beneath homes in the region. A recent study conducted by the health department has revealed that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples from the rail yard is greater than the levels recommended for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the slow release of creosote from the atmosphere. It is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that can be harmful for children as well as adults.

It is also possible that the particles are causing cancers among the people who breathe the vapors. A door-to door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to discover more about how the vapors impact the lives of the residents.

This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities.  Railroad Cancer  is a tragic situation and must be resolved immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher for children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.