自己紹介
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 up an underground plume that is contaminated rail yard. The most recent tests have shown that the contamination may be affecting residents living nearby.
Researchers believe it's due to the large number of cancers that are found in the area. Two years after the launch of an investigation into health issues across the state Researchers found that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote, a common chemical, is that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a cause of cancer in those who are exposed to it.
It is a dense oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a bitter taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.
It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods like fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings for marine structures. It can also be used to guard log structures and homes from decay and insect infestation.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be a chemical that could be dangerous. The exposure to creosote over short periods of time can cause irritation to the eyes and skin, chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum cancers. This is a serious issue for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.
It is considered a probable human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked with a variety of cancers of various types such as esophageal or lung cancer.
Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time, thanks to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes, and continues to spread underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test regularly for contamination , and take measures to stop the spread of the disease.
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 the soil beneath their homes , causing significant health issues.
They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering as well as damages from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They claim they have suffered the effects of 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 , and can remain in the air, soil, or sediment for a long time. They can be found in a variety of sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.
Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels aren't yet known but there is evidence that they could cause serious illnesses , such as cancer. The people who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to be at greater risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune system issues and endocrine issues such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues and hair growth, weight loss and facial cysts, known as chloracne.
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 aren't water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of dairy products, fish and other seafood.
But it is important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that has a harmful effect on your health is contingent upon various factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you drink or eat, and how much you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender and age, nutritional status, Union Pacific Houston Cancer and family traits to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.
Additionally, the type of contaminant is another important factor. The EPA states that certain toxic substances are more likely to have a damaging impact on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.
For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also affect the immune system and cause problems in the development of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.
Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is next to their homes. The city's health department reported on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The release said 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 has submitted to Texas environmental regulators will not be adequate in light of the findings.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. After they were proven to cause cancer and weaken the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.
When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water across the world. They are strong binders of organic matter that can be transported easily and accumulated in the environment.
As a result, PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of public health and the environment. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.
In addition, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who are exposed to PCBs in the womb.
PCBs are mainly consumed through food. Because they are the highest in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.
Another way to get exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is infected with PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spills from electrical or other equipment.
Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or through the skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as chloracne which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions that can last from a few weeks to a few years.
However, the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely known. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to determine how this affects us.
The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborn babies. Low birth weight has been associated with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. Two studies have shown that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or older.
Lead
Lead is a toxic metal and is found in many products, including pipes, paints and food containers. The body absorbs it via two routes: the respiratory and oral.
It is a strong antioxidant that can react with other chemicals in the environment. It is able to accumulate in the body, and can lead to serious health issues like cancer and other diseases.
In Houston residents living close to a creosote-based treatment plant owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked for the assistance of the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's contamination site.
Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having been a source of contamination for its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. Residents have claimed that the company has been trying to clean up contamination but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.
One of the biggest issues that resulted due to the contamination is the groundwater plume under the homes in the region. A recent study by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples from the rail yard is more than the recommended levels for drinking water.
Another concern is the slow release of creosote to the atmosphere. As it escapes, it causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that are harmful to children as well as adults.
It is possible that the vapors cause cancer among those who inhale them. A door-to door health survey is being carried out in the neighborhood to find out more about the effects of the vapors on the residents' lives.
This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a terribly sad situation that must be addressed immediately.
A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a form leukemia that was five times higher rate than the average. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than in other areas of Texas.
職業