Tami Windham спросил 2 года назад
Union Pacific Houston Cancer — Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?
For decades, neighbors in Houston’s Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn’t done enough to clean up creosote in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. Recent tests have revealed that contamination could still be affecting residents living nearby.
Researchers say it may be related to the elevated Cancer Lawsuits rates in the area. Two years after launching a state-wide health investigation the researchers discovered that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote, a chemical commonly used to treat wood is also a very common one. It is also a toxic substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.
It is a thick oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a bitter taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been in use for over 150 years as a wood preservative.
It is utilized in the United States to treat Railroad Workers And Cancer tieways, as well as other kinds of woods, like fence posts and utility poles, and pilings from marine construction. It can also be used to safeguard log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote may be an extremely hazardous chemical. Short-term exposure can cause eye and skin irritation, chemical burns, stomach pain and burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver issues.
Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancers. This is a major concern for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.
It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked to a number of different cancer types including esophageal as well as Lung Cancer Lawsuit Settlements cancer.
Houston’s Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote because of a former Railroad Workers Cancer yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil and is spreading underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to stop it from spreading.
In October 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil and caused significant health issues as a result of the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering and also damages from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They claim they are victimized by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that has impacted them and their families.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemicals which do not break down quickly in the environment, and they can stay in the soil, air, or sediment for an extended period of time. They can be found in various sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.
Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels are not known yet, there is evidence suggesting that they could cause serious illnesses , such as cancer. Patients who are exposed at 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 lead to problems with hormones, immune suppression and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking water or food. They are not volatile or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish and other seafood.
It is nevertheless important to be aware that the amount of exposure that could have adverse effects on your health is contingent upon numerous factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you consume alcohol or food, and the amount of air you breathe. It is also essential to consider your age, gender as well as your diet, nutritional status and family characteristics in addition to other factors in your health that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.
Additionally, the type of contaminant is another important aspect. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to cause harm impact on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.
For instance, PCBs can damage a person’s eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also affect the immune system of a person and interfere with the growth of healthy teeth and bones.
For years, neighbors in Houston’s Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a cluster of cancer-related deaths which has been connected to the Union Pacific Cancer Cluster Pacific rail yard, which is located near their communities. The city’s health department said on Friday that it had found cancer-causing substances in surface samples of 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 plan proposed by Texas environmental regulators won’t suffice.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. These chemicals were banned in 1979 after being found to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and interfere with learning.
When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water across the world. They bind strongly to organic matter and are often persistent and therefore, are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.
This is why PCBs are a major issue 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 proven to cause cancer in laboratory animals.
In addition, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals during the womb.
The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs, fish is the main source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.
Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This can be caused by leaks or spills that can occur in electrical and other equipment.
People may also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin contact. These chemicals can cause an illness known as chloracne which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions which can last for weeks or even years.
The effects of PCBs upon the human body are not completely known. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver and biliary tract cancers in humans, but more research is needed to find out how this impacts us.
The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborns. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. In two studies, children who were 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 paints, pipes and food containers. It is absorbed by the body through two major pathways: the respiratory and oral.
It is a potent antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals present in the environment. This can lead to its accumulation in the body and can cause serious health issues like cancer and Union Pacific Houston Cancer other ailments.
Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad’s legacy creosote plant have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to direct the railroad to cleanse its toxic 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, like creosote. The railroad has been trying to get rid of the contamination, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents believe.
One of the most significant problems that resulted from the contamination was the groundwater plume under the homes in the area. A recent study conducted by health officials has revealed that soil samples from the rail yard contain higher levels of creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.
Another issue is the gradual release of creosote to the atmosphere. As it escapes, it causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that are dangerous for children and adults.
It is also possible that the fumes are causing cancers to those who breathe them in. A door-to-door health assessment is being conducted in the area to understand how the vapors are impacting the lives of residents.
This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very tragic situation that needs to be dealt with immediately.
A Department of State Health Services study found that the rate of leukemia was five times higher for children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.
