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 contaminated rail yard. Recent tests have revealed that contamination could still be affecting residents living nearby.Researchers believe it could be due to the high rate of cancers in the area. Two years into a state-wide health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote, a common chemical, is employed in the treatment of wood. It can also cause 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 taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been used for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.It is used in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods, such as fence posts and utility poles, and pilings for marine use. It can also be used to protect log structures and homes from insects and rot.According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be a chemical that could be dangerous. In the event of exposure to creosote for a short periods can result in irritation to the eyes and skin, chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancers. This is a significant concern for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.According to the EPA the EPA, it is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a variety of different cancer types, including esophageal and lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote because of a former railroad yard right next to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes and soil, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.The cities 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 measures to prevent the spread of the disease.In October 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes , causing serious health problems.They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering and compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They claim to have been affected by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other types of pollution that has affected their families as well as them.DioxinDioxins are substances that don't break down quickly in the environment, and they can stay in the soil, air, water or in sediment for a long time. They can be derived from a variety of sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.The health effects of dioxin are not known at low levels, however there is evidence to suggest that they can trigger 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 such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes as well as hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts, known as chloracne.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method that people are exposed dioxin is through drinking water or food. Railroad Workers or volatile, which means they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of dairy products, fish and other seafood.It is vital to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins can have a detrimental effect on your health based on a variety of factors such as how much you eat, drink, and the frequency you breathe. It is also important to take into consideration your gender, age and nutrition status, as well as diet and family traits along with other health factors that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.Furthermore, the kind of contaminant is also an important aspect. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging impact on human health than others. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.PCBs can cause damage to eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They also can harm the immune system and cause issues in the development of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster of cancers that have been that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is next to their homes. The city's health department reported on Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The release said the findings were not encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan proposed by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. PCBs were banned in 1979, after being discovered to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system and inhibit learning.Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in a variety of areas around the world. They are strong binders of organic matter and can be easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.PCBs are a major concern for protecting the environment as well as public health. The EPA considers them a potential human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals. Railroad Workers show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who are exposed PCBs in the womb. Cancer Lawsuits for exposure to PCBs is through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.Drinking and showering with PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This could be due to leaks or spills from electrical and other equipment.People may also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or through skin contact. These chemicals can cause a condition called Chloracne. This is a tiny pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that last for weeks to years. Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts of PCBs upon the human body are not completely comprehended. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers among humans, but further studies are needed to discover how this affects us.EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns, including lower birth weight. A low birth weight has been linked to insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in life. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or an earlier age.LeadLead is a poisonous metal that is found in a variety of products, including paints, pipes, and food cans. The body can absorb it through two routes: oral and respiratory.It is a powerful antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals in the surrounding. This can cause it to accumulate in the body , and could lead to serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.In Houston, people who live near a creosote legacy treatment facility run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government for an order to the railroad to cleanse the site that is contaminated.Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. Residents say that the company has been trying to get rid of the pollution, but the plan submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.One of the most important problems that resulted from the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the region. A recent study by health officials has found that soil samples from the rail yard contain a higher concentration of creosote than what is required for drinking water.Another concern is the slow evaporation of creosote to the atmosphere. As it does, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors, which are dangerous for children and adults.It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer for those who breathe them. To find out more about the impact of the vapors on the lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being conducted in the neighborhood.This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation and must be taken care of immediately.A Department of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates were five times higher in children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.