Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?
Railroad Cancer Lawyer have complained for years that the company hasn't taken the necessary steps to clean up an underground plume that is contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that the contamination could be an issue for residents living nearby.
Researchers believe it's due to the large number of cancers that are found in the area. Railroad Cancer into a health inspection by the state they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote, a chemical commonly used in the treatment of wood is also a typical one. It can cause cancer in people exposed to it.
It is a dense oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preservative.
It is employed in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods like fence posts, utility poles, and pilings for marine use. It can also be used to protect 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. In the event of exposure to creosote for a short periods can cause irritation to the eyes and skin and chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of throat or mouth as well as liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.
According to the EPA it is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety kinds of cancers including esophageal and lung cancer.
Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, because of a former railroad yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes and soil, and it continues to spread throughout the 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 for contamination on a regular basis and implement preventative measures to prevent the spread.
In October 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote that was emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes , causing significant health issues.
They are seeking damages from the railroad to help cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they have been affected by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other types of pollution that has affected them and their families.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemical compounds that do not break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, soil, or sediment for a long period. They can be found in various sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents, smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.
Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels are not well-studied, there is evidence that they can cause serious diseases like cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked with an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune issues, and endocrine issues, like hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts called chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most prevalent way people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They are not liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish or other seafood.
It is important to remember, however, that exposure to chemicals can cause harm to your health depending on many factors like how much you drink, eat, and how often you breathe. You should also consider your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family traits to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.
In addition, the type of contaminant is also an important factor. According to the EPA, some toxins are more harmful than others to the health of humans. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote have a negative effect on your health.
For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also harm the immune system and cause issues with the development of healthy teeth, bones and bones.
Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster of cancer deaths caused by the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is next to their homes. The announcement made by the city's health department claimed that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. The release stated that the findings 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 be sufficient.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for more than 60 years. After being found to cause Railroad Cancer Lawsuit and inhibit the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.
PCBs can infect soil as well as water and air in many regions of the globe once they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and are often persistent which means they are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.
PCBs are a major concern for protecting the environment as well as public health. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in lab animals.
Furthermore certain studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children exposed to these chemicals in the womb.
PCBs are mainly consumed through food. Fish is the primary source of exposure, as they contain the highest amount of PCBs. But, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.
Another way to get exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been polluted with PCBs. This could be the result of leaks or spills in electrical and other equipment.
People can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as chloracne which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions which can last from a few weeks to a few years.
The effects of PCBs upon human health are not fully understood. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However, more research is needed to better understand how this affects us.
The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as 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 and/or older.
Lead
Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is a toxic metal that is present in a variety of products, such as paints, pipes and food containers. The body absorbs it via two routes: respiratory and oral.
It is a potent antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals found in the environment. It can build up within the body and can cause serious health issues such as cancer and other diseases.
Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility are at risk of cancer. The city has asked for the assistance of the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated facility.
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 get rid of the pollution, but the plan that was submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.
One of the most significant problems that resulted from the contamination was the groundwater plume beneath homes in the area. A recent study conducted by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples in the rail yard is greater than the level recommended for drinking water.
Another cause for concern is the slow evaporation of creosote into the atmosphere. It is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which could be fatal for both children as well as adults.
It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer for those who inhale them. To learn more about the impact of the vapors on lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.
This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a sad state of affairs and must be taken care of immediately.
A Department of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates were five times higher in children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.