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HOW RAILROAD WORKERS AROSE TO BE THE TOP TREND IN SOCIAL MEDIA



April 13, 2023

 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 up an underground plume that is contaminated
rail yard. The latest tests show the contamination could continue to affect
people who live nearby. Researchers believe it's due to the large number of
cancers in the region. Two years into a state health investigation they
discovered higher than expected rates of childhood leukemia as well as adult
kidney and 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 cause of cancer in those exposed to it. It is a thick oily
substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a
bitter taste. Railroad Cancer Settlement Amounts is a distillation of coal
product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver. In the
United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other kinds of wood
including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It can also be used for
protecting log structures and homes against the effects of rot and insect
invasion. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares
creosote is a dangerous chemical. Exposure to creosote for short periods can
result in irritation to the eyes and skin, chemical burns, stomach pains,
burning of mouth or throat as well as liver or kidney problems and even
permanent damage. Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum tumors.
This is a serious concern for workers who are in direct contact with it during
wood treatment or other manufacturing processes. It is regarded as a possible
human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked to a number kinds of cancers
including esophageal and lung cancer. Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward
neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for years, thanks to a former rail
yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their
homes, soil and is spreading underground. The cities of Houston and Harris
County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They want
the company to test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures
to prevent the spread. A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against
Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote that was emitted from
the former rail yard is contaminating soil under their homes and causing
significant health issues. They are seeking compensation from the railroad in
order to cover the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They claim that
they have been harmed by environmental racism discrimination, sexism, and other
kinds of pollution that have affected their families as well as them. Dioxin
Dioxins are chemical compounds that don't break down quickly in the environment
and can remain in the air, water, soil or sediment for an extended period of
time. They can be derived from diverse sources, including natural disasters,
industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of
hazardous waste. The effects of dioxin on health aren't clear at low levels,
however there is evidence to suggest that they can cause cancer and other
serious diseases. The people who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin are
found to be at greater risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune system
problems, and endocrine changes like hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger
problems with hormones, immune suppression as well as diabetes, menstrual
problems and weight loss. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
the most frequent way people are exposed to dioxin is through food or drinking
water. They aren't water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be in
the body through the consumption of dairy products, fish or other seafood. It is
vital to remember, however, that exposure to chemicals can have a detrimental
effect on your health, based on numerous factors like how much you drink, eat
and the frequency with which you breathe. You should also take into
consideration your gender, age, nutrition, and family characteristics to
determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins. The kind of contaminant
used is also important. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to
cause harm effect on human health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs
are more likely than creosote negatively impact your health. For instance, PCBs
can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They can also harm the immune
system of a person and hinder the growth of healthy teeth and bones. For years,
residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a
string of cancer deaths that have been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, that
is right next to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health
department stated that it found cancer-causing chemicals on surfaces near the
rail yard. The release noted that the results weren't 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 won't suffice.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals
that have been used in industrial and household products for more than 60 years.
After being shown to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system, these
chemicals were banned in 1979. Once released into the natural environment, PCBs
contaminate air, soil, and water in many areas of the world. They are extremely
binders to organic matter and are generally persistent, meaning they are
relatively easy to transport and build up in the environment. In the end, 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 proven to
cause cancer in lab animals. Furthermore certain studies have linked PCBs to
birth defects in children. This is especially true for children exposed to these
chemicals in the womb. PCBs are most commonly ingested through food items.
Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the most significant source of
exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other
agricultural products. Another way to get exposed to PCBs is through drinking
and showering with water that has been infected with PCBs. This can happen from
leaks or spills that could be caused by electrical or other equipment. People
can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or by skin contact. These
chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. It is a small pale,
yellow-colored lesions that last for weeks to years. The effects of PCBs upon
the health of humans aren't fully recognized. Some researchers have suggested
that they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers among humans, but more
studies are needed to determine how this affects us. The EPA is also examining
whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborn babies. Low birth
weight has been associated with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high
blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in life. Two studies showed
that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with
lower birth weights and/or an earlier age. Lead Lead is a highly toxic metal
that is present in a variety of products like paints pipes and food cans. The
body absorbs it via two routes: respiratory and oral. It is a potent chemical
that can oxidize and react with other chemicals in your surroundings. This can
cause it to accumulate within the body. This can cause serious health issues
like cancer and other ailments. In Houston, people who live near a creosote
legacy treatment plant owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence
of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to instruct the railroad to
cleanse its contaminated facility. The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of
contamination of its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens
neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals for humans, such as creosote. The
railroad has been trying to eliminate the mess, but a plan presented to the
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents believe.
One of the most important issues that resulted due to the contamination is the
plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the area. A recent study
by health officials has revealed that soil samples from the rail yard contain an
increased amount of creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.
Another concern is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. As it
is, it is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors which are
dangerous for children and adults. It is also possible that fumes are causing
cancers to those who breathe them in. To find out more about the effect of the
vapors in the lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being
conducted in the neighborhood. This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward
communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a pity and it should be dealt with
immediately. A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia
incidences were five times higher in children who lived in the Fifth Ward and
Kashmere Gardens areas than was expected. The study also found that adult
cancers were more frequent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in
Texas.

Railroad Cancer Settlement Amounts


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