Delia Stawell спросил 2 года назад
Union Pacific Houston Cancer — Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?
Houston’s Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn’t taken the necessary steps to clean the underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. And now, the most recent tests have revealed that the contamination may still be affecting people who live near.
Researchers say it may be related to elevated cancer rates in the region. Two years after the launch of an investigation across the state on health Researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote, a common chemical, is employed in the treatment of wood. It is also a cause of cancer in people who are exposed to it.
It is a heavy oily substance that’s black or amber in appearance and has a smokey odor and a burnt flavor. It is a distillation of coal product and has been in use for over 150 years as a wood preservative.
In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other types of wood including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It can also be used to shield log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares creosote is a risky chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause irritation of the skin and eyes as well as chemical burns stomach discomfort and burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues.
Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.
It is considered a probable human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked to a variety of cancers which include esophageal, as well as lung cancer.
Houston’s Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, due to a former railroad yard near their homes. The chemical is said to have contaminated their homes and soil, and it continues to spread underground.
The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test regularly for contamination and take steps to prevent it from spreading.
In October of 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil under their homes and causing significant health issues.
They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering and also compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other 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 do not break down quickly in the environment and can remain in the soil, air, or sediment for a long period of time. They can come from a variety of sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.
Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels are not known but there is evidence that they can trigger serious illnesses such as cancer. People who are exposed to higher levels are believed to have an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system problems and endocrine disorders including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to problems with hormones, immune suppression as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking water or food. They are not water-soluble or volatile, therefore they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish and other seafood.
However, it is important to remember that the level of exposure that will have adverse effects on your health will depend on several factors, such as the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you drink or eat, and how much air you breathe. It is also crucial to take into consideration your age, gender as well as your diet, nutritional status and family traits, as well as other health factors that could influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.
In addition, the form of contaminant is an important factor. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative impact on health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs are more likely than creosote to cause harm to your health.
PCBs can cause damage to eyes and liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system of a person and hinder the growth of healthy bones and teeth.
For years, residents of Houston’s Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a cluster of cancer-related deaths that has been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their communities. The city’s health department reported on Friday that it had found cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The release stated that the findings were «not encouraging.» Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he’s planning to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan that he submitted to Texas environmental regulators wouldn’t be sufficient in light of the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. After being shown to cause cancer and Railroad workers and cancer weaken the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.
Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in many areas of the world. They are strong binders of organic matter that can be easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.
PCBs are a significant concern for the protection of the environment and public health. The EPA considers them a probable human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children who’ve been exposed to these chemicals while during the pregnancy.
PCBs are most commonly consumed through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.
Another method of being exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been contaminated with PCBs. 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 air or through skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as Chloracne. This is small pale, yellow-colored lesions that last for weeks to years.
The effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully recognized. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However it is necessary to conduct more research to understand how this affects us.
EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, such as less weight at birth. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in the course of. 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 poisonous metal and is present in many products, such as pipes, paints, and food cans. The body can absorb it through two main routes: respiratory and oral.
It is a powerful antioxidant and can react with other chemicals found in the environment. This can cause it to accumulate within the body and cause serious health issues like cancer, among other diseases.
Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad’s creosote facility have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested assistance from the federal government in cleaning up the railroad’s contaminated site.
Union Pacific Cancer Cluster Pacific Railroad Workers And Cancer (http://www.mazafakas.com) has a past history of affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents say that the company has been trying to get rid of the pollution, but the proposal submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.
One of the biggest problems that resulted from the contamination was the groundwater plume under the homes in the area. A recent study by the health department has shown that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples from the rail yard is higher than the levels recommended for drinking water.
Another issue is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. It is causing residents to inhale toxic levels of vapors, which can be fatal for children and adults.
It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer among those who inhale them. A door-to-door health assessment is being carried out in the neighborhood to learn more about how the vapors are impacting the lives of the residents.
This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a terribly sad situation that must be addressed immediately.
A Department of State Health Services study found that the rate of leukemia was five times higher in children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these areas than in other areas of Texas.
