Jurgen Dial спросил 2 года назад
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. Now, the most recent tests have revealed that the contamination may still be affecting those who live near.
Researchers believe it is due to the large number of cancers that are found in the area. Two years after launching an investigation into health issues across the state, researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is a common chemical that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a poisonous substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.
It is a dense oily substance that’s black or amber in color and has a smoky smell and burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.
It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, like fence posts, utility poles, and pilings for marine use. It can also be used to safeguard log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is potentially dangerous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause eye and skin irritation as well as chemical burns, stomach discomfort and burning in the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver problems.
Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a significant concern for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.
According to the EPA it is a possible human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a variety kinds of cancers including esophageal and lung cancer.
Residents of Houston’s Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years due to an old rail yard located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated, and continues to spread underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to stop the spread.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil and caused major health problems as a result of the former rail yard.
They are seeking compensation from the Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit to help cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They also claim that they are harmed by environmental racism and discrimination and other forms of pollution that has impacted them and their families.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemical compounds that don’t break down in environment quickly and can remain in the air, soil or in sediment for a long time. They can be found in many places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.
The effects of dioxin on health aren’t clear at low levels, however there is evidence that suggests they can cause cancer and other serious diseases. People exposed to higher levels are believed to be at a higher risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune system problems, and endocrine issues including hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, Railroad Workers menstrual and diabetes issues, hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts called chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most common way people are exposed is through water and food. They are not volatile and water-soluble, so they are easily to be absorbed by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.
It is important to remember that exposure can cause harm to your health, depending on many factors like how much you eat, drink, and the frequency you breathe. You should also consider your gender, Railroad workers age, nutrition, and family characteristics to determine if you’ll be exposed to dioxins.
In addition, the form of contaminant is also an important factor. According to the EPA, some toxins are more harmful than others to human health. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, are more likely than creosote negatively impact your health.
PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system and cause issues in the development of healthy teeth, bones and bones.
For years, residents in Houston’s Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a rash of cancer-related deaths which has been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their neighborhoods. The announcement made by the city’s health department claimed that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples near the rail yard. The release noted that the findings were not encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he’s going to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan that he submitted to Texas environmental regulators won’t be adequate in light of the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are harmful chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. After they were proven to cause cancer and weaken the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.
PCBs can infect soil, water, and air in many regions of the world after they are released into the environment. They bind strongly to organic matter and tend to be persistent and therefore, are easy to transport and build up in the environment.
As a result, PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of public health and the environment. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in lab animals.
In addition certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children who’ve been exposed to these chemicals while during pregnancy.
The most common route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Fish is the primary source of exposure, as they contain the highest amount of PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.
Showering and drinking water is another method of exposure. This could be the result of leaks or spills that occur in electrical equipment and other.
Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through their skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as chloracne which is a mild, small yellow skin lesions which can be present for a period of weeks or years.
However, the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet fully known. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or biliary tract cancers in humans, however more research is needed to find out the extent to which this impacts us.
EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals cause birth defects in newborns, including lower birth weight. Low birth weight has been linked with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. Two studies found that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or later in life.
Lead
Lead is a toxic metal that is present in a variety of products like paints, pipes, and food cans. The body absorbs it through two main routes: oral and respiratory.
It is a powerful chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other substances in your environment. It can build up in the body, and can cause serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.
Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad’s creosote legacy plant are at risk of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to direct the railroad to cleanse its contaminated facility.
The Union Pacific Railroad Workers (http://Www.cross-A.Net) has a history of having its rail yard contaminated in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, like creosote. Residents claim that the railroad has been trying to get rid of the pollution, but the plan presented to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.
One of the major problems that resulted from the contamination was the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the region. A recent study conducted by the health department has revealed that the concentration of creosote in soil samples from the rail yard is much higher than the recommended levels for drinking water.
Another cause for concern is the gradual release of creosote in the air. It is causing residents to inhale harmful levels of vapors which can be fatal for children as well as adults.
It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in those who breathe them. A door-to-door health survey is currently being carried out in the neighborhood to find out more about how the vapors impact the lives of the residents.
This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very tragic situation that must 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 type of leukemia at a five times more frequently than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.
