Five Railroad Workers Lessons Learned From Professionals > 자유게시판

Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

For decades, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to remove an underground plume of creosote at its contaminated rail yard. Recent tests have revealed that contamination is still an issue for residents living nearby.

Researchers believe it is due to the high rate of cancers in the region. Two years into a state-wide health investigation they discovered higher than expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is one of the most common chemicals used in the treatment of wood. It is also a harmful substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a thick oily substance which is black or amber in color and has a smoky 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 Workers And Cancer ties as well as other kinds of wood including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to safeguard log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote could be an extremely hazardous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause irritation to the skin and eyes, railroad cancer lawyer chemical burns stomach pain burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues.

Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.

According to the EPA, it is a possible 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 decades to creosote thanks to a former Railroad Cancer Lawyer (click through the following document) yard right next to their homes. The chemical is said to have affected their homes and soil, and it continues to spread underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the Csx Lawsuit Settlements against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to stop it from spreading.

In October of 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil under their homes and causing serious health problems.

They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering as well as damages from railroads for the cost of cleaning and other associated costs. They claim they have been affected by environmental racism discrimination, sexism, and other types of pollution that has affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are chemical compounds that don't break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, soil or sediment for a lengthy period. They are found in a variety of places in natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.

Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't known however, there is evidence to suggest that they can trigger serious illnesses like cancer. People exposed to higher levels have been found to have an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune system problems, and endocrine issues, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes, hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most popular way that people are exposed dioxin is through drinking or eating. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble so they are more easily absorbed by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat such as fish, as well as other seafood.

But it is important to be aware that the amount of exposure that can have negative effects on your health will depend on various factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you drink or eat and how much you breathe. It is also important to take into consideration your gender, age and diet, nutritional status and family characteristics along with other factors in your health that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.

Furthermore, the kind of contaminant is also an important factor. According to the EPA certain toxins are more dangerous than others to human health. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.

For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They also can harm the immune system of a person and interfere with the growth of healthy bones and teeth.

For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a cluster of cancer-related deaths which has been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their homes. The city's health department announced Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The release stated that the results weren't encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for over 60 years. These substances were banned in 1979 following they were found to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and hinder learning.

Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil throughout the world. They bind strongly to organic matter and are generally persistent, meaning they are relatively easy to transport and railroad cancer lawyer build up in the environment.

As a result, PCBs are a major concern for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA and have been found to cause cancer in lab animals.

Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during pregnancy.

PCBs are mainly consumed through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef, and other agricultural products.

Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This could be the result of leaks or spills from electrical and other equipment.

People may also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin contact. These chemicals can trigger a condition called chloracne, which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years.

The effects of PCBs upon the human body are not completely known. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver or biliary tract cancers in humans, however more research is needed to find out how this impacts us.

EPA has also been investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns, such as less weight at birth. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies revealed that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or an earlier age.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal and is present in many products, such as pipes, paints, and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two main pathways: oral and respiratory.

It is a strong antioxidant that can react with other chemicals found in the environment. This can lead to its accumulation in the body and can cause serious health issues like cancer and other illnesses.

In Houston the residents who live near a creosote treatment plant owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has asked for the assistance of the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated facility.

Union Pacific Railroad Cancer Settlements has a past history of 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 company has been working to eliminate the contamination, but the plan that was submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

One of the most important problems that arose from the contamination was the groundwater plume under the homes in the region. A recent study by health officials has found that soil samples from the rail yard contain an increased amount of creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.

Another issue is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. It can cause residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which could be fatal for children as well as adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer for those who breathe them. A door-to-door health assessment is being carried out in the neighborhood to discover more about how the vapors affect the residents' lives.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation and it should be dealt with immediately.

A recent study by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a form of leukemia that was five times higher rate than the average. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.