Union Pacific Cancer Cluster
The Union Pacific Rail Yard just northeast of downtown Houston is contaminated by the chemical linked to a cancer cluster. These chemicals include dioxin and creosote.
A study has revealed that a significant amount the toxins were absorbed into the groundwater and soil surrounding the railyard. Researchers believe that residents who have been affected have been diagnosed with a range of illnesses including prostate cancer, skin cancer cancer , and bile duct cancer that is a form of liver cancer.
Creosote
Creosote is a mixture of hundreds of chemicals used to preserve wood and other materials, is a possible carcinogen. In addition to cancer, creosote also believed to cause eye damage and dermatitis.
Houston's union pacific cancer cluster is made up of a group that is infected by creosote. Union Pacific has been protesting the pollution for months and the community is demanding they get rid of the contamination.
Residents have fought for years trying to get the company take care of their pollution. They are not giving up, and are currently suing the railroad company in federal courts, hoping that the company will finally acknowledge responsibility for the pollution.
They claim that creosote a toxic substance, is damaging their homes and causing their children sick. They claim that the pollution is causing children to develop cancer at five times the rate of national average.
In addition to the health effects, the pollution is also making residents lose their jobs and homes. The contamination is seeping into the soil as well as the air and water of the area.
According to the Houston Chronicle creosote was removed from the site by Southern Pacific for many decades before it was acquired by Union Pacific in 1997. The company did not take responsibility for the pollution until a few years ago, when residents started a movement.
Despite their efforts, residents in the union pacific cluster suffer from lung and esophageal cancers. They also have high rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia.
While scientists aren't able to pinpoint the exact reason behind the contamination, they suspect that it is caused by chemicals in creosote. These chemicals have been linked to an increased risk of throat and esophus cancers.
It is believed that the chemical was used in a variety ways that included wood preservation as well as an anti-ringworm treatment. It is also used in fungicides and insecticides.
Research has shown that the chemicals in creosote undergo an oxygenation-reduction reaction that causes them to be dangerous. This process may lead to biodegradation of these compounds, and release toxic byproducts in the soil and water. The process may take some time and is only possible in the event that the chemical compound is in a low enough level.
Dioxin
Dioxin is a family of chemicals that have been linked to various kinds of cancers. It is toxic to kidneys, livers and the central nervous system.
The chemical is present in the air, soil and water. It is also absorbed through the skin, or eaten in food. It is one of the "dirty dozen" chemicals.
Dioxins with high levels can cause health issues such as cancer and liver problems in those who are exposed to them via industrial accidents or occupational exposure. However, the health effects of low levels dioxins are not well understood.
The long-term effects of this contaminant are being studied by scientists. It has been linked to cancers in lab animals and in people who live near contaminated areas.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Dioxins have also been proven to increase the risk of certain kinds of cancer, and they can damage the immune and reproductive systems. They can also cause birth defects.
The most frequent ways dioxins are taken in is through eating fat-rich foods, burning household waste and being exposed to hazardous waste. Other sources of dioxins found in the environment include industrial accidents, herbicides, and pesticides.
If you smoke, you are likely to have higher levels of dioxins than other people. You can reduce your risk of developing dioxins by quitting smoking.
Healthy, balanced, nutritious diets are essential, particularly when it involves fruits, vegetables as well as grains and other foods. Railroad Cancer Settlements can reduce or stop your exposure to dioxins and their compounds.
Healthy eating habits can help you avoid other health problems , like bronchus or lung cancers. Also, you should avoid eating milk products and meats which are high in fat.
You can reduce your exposure to harmful substances by choosing foods that are low in fat. It is also important to eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables , and drink plenty of water.
Dioxin, a hazardous chemical is linked to various types of cancers, including breast and liver cancer. It may cause damage to the brain, heart and lungs.
Toxic Metals
Metals like copper and cadmium are essential to our lives, but can become poisonous if they're used too excessively. They are also found in low levels in sewage and other pollutants and in some electronic waste (e-waste).
A number of heavy metals in the environment have been linked to various illnesses, including cancer. Despite their role in the onset and progression of these diseases yet, it's not clear how they affect different organ systems or what can be done to prevent their toxicity.
The chemical properties of individual Ions and the target cellular ions that they bind to determine the toxicity of heavy metals. These interactions include the creation of ROS inhibiting enzymes that make oxidative compounds and inactivation other proteins that protect cells from harmful effects.
Alongside these common mechanisms, each metal has its own unique toxicities. Cadmium and copper for instance, can weaken antioxidant defenses through the generation of superoxide anionradios (ROS) which can damage mitochondrial functions and DNA. Additionally that these metals are able to connect to protein phosphatases (PP) and cause glutathione to be inactivated peroxidase.
Arsenic, lead, and other oxidative stressors that cause inflammation or lipid peroxidation are also often associated with these. These oxidative stresses can cause heart disease, lung cancer and other health problems.
This is particularly the case for arsenic and lead that can trigger pro-inflammatory chemokines which stimulate cancer cell growth. It is possible that these chemicals interact with genes involved in cell cycle progression and DNA repair to increase their mutagenic or carcinogenic effects.
Another important role of heavy metals is that they increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. This is a serious concern as prostate cancer is the most widespread type of cancer for men and the leading cause of death from the disease in the United States.
Additionally, copper and cadmium have been shown to increase the risk of coronary health such as coronary heart disease, cadmium and stroke. These findings are of particular significance as they show the importance of toxic metals from the environment in increasing cardiovascular risk. They also play a role in behavioral determinants. However further research is required to better understand the connections and determine the causality.
Pesticides
Pesticides are substances that are used to control insects, weeds, fungi, and other organisms that are found in agriculture (Langley and Mort 2012; Mostafalou and Abdollahi 2017). They are vital in maintaining the production of agricultural products and provide food that is safe for humans. They could cause harm to the environment and human health if they are inhaled or come in direct contact with skin.
In the United States, the number of pesticides deployed is estimated to be over 1.1 billion pounds each year. This is a large amount of toxic chemicals that can either be inhaled or ingested. The use of pesticides are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Pesticides are often used on many crops. However there is growing concerns about their effect on the environment as well as human health. Certain pesticides are classified by the World Health Organization as potentially carcinogenic or may cause cancer.
This has triggered an increasing number of research initiatives to investigate the relationship between exposure to pesticides and health effects, such as cancer. These studies employ different methods such as multilevel mixed effect models as well as Cox proportional risks regressions.
These methods are often used to analyze the connection between a single chemical and health outcomes like cancer at a state, regional, or national level. This is particularly important because it offers a broad picture of the possible relationships between environmental pollutants and health outcomes, which allows for targeted investigation of specific chemicals.
Another important aspect of pesticides is the possibility of exposure to occupational activities that involve their application, transport and storage. This is influenced by many factors, such as where the worker is located and the chemicals they use.
Furthermore, pesticides can be absorbed through direct contact with the skin or inhalation or inhalation, and may be found in food items. This could be harmful to the health of infants and children.
Pesticides can also affect groundwater and air, which can cause respiratory issues and kidney damage. These pollutants can be emitted from a variety of sources, like factories and waste incinerators. One of the most dangerous is dioxins, which are known to cause cancer as well as other ailments like liver diseases.