Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?For decades, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to clean up creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the latest tests suggest that the contamination could continue to affect people who live near.Researchers believe it could be due to higher cancer rates in the area. Two years after the launch of an all-state health investigation the researchers discovered that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote is a popular chemical that is used to treat wood is also a popular one. It is also a cause of cancer in those exposed to it.It is a heavy oily substance which is black or amber in appearance and has a smokey odor and burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other kinds of wood including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to protect log houses and other structures from decay and insect infestation.According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is a chemical that could be dangerous. Exposure to creosote for short periods of time can cause skin and eye irritation chemical burns stomach pains, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues and even permanent damage.Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum cancers. This is a significant concern for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked with many types of cancer that include esophageal aswell lung cancer.Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years due to a former rail yard near their homes. They claim the chemical has affected their homes and soil and continues to spread throughout the underground.Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests frequently for contamination and take measures to stop it from spreading.In October of 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil, causing significant health problems as a result of the former rail yard.They are seeking compensation from the railroad to pay the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim that they have been affected by environmental racism, discrimination, and other kinds of pollution that have affected them and their families.DioxinDioxins are substances that do not break down quickly in the environment and they can stay in the soil, air, water or in sediment for a long period of. They can be found in a variety of places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes, and incineration or hazardous waste.Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels aren't known yet, there is evidence suggesting that they could cause serious diseases like cancer. Patients who are exposed at higher levels of dioxin are found to be at greater risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune system issues and endocrine changes such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes and hair growth, weight loss and facial cysts called chloracne.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking or eating. They are not volatile or water-soluble, which means they are more easily taken in by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat, fish, and other seafood.It is important to remember that exposure to dioxins can have a detrimental effect on your health, based on numerous aspects, such as the amount you drink, eat and the frequency you breathe. You should also consider your gender and age, your diet, and family characteristics to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.In addition, the type of contaminant is also an important factor. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more harmful than others to human health. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.PCBs can cause damage to the eyes, liver, kidneys, and kidneys. They also can harm the immune system and cause problems in the development of healthy teeth, bones and bones.For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a string of cancer deaths that has been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their neighborhoods. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department revealed that they discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. The announcement said the results 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 suffice.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. After being found to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil across the world. They are strong binders for organic matter that can be easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.PCBs are a major problem for protecting the environment and public health. The EPA considers them to be a possible human carcinogen and has shown that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who are exposed to these chemicals while pregnant.PCBs are mainly consumed through food. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This can result from spills or leaks that may be caused by electrical or other equipment.Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through their skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. It is a small pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that last for several weeks to several years.The effects of PCBs on human health are not completely understood. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers among humans, but more studies are needed to understand how this affects us.EPA is also studying whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns, including low birth weight. 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 who were born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower body weight at birth, and/or later in childhood.LeadLead is a poisonous metal and is present in many products, including paints, pipes and food cans. The body absorbs it through two routes: oral and respiratory.It is a strong chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals in your environment. Railroad Cancer Settlement Amounts is able to accumulate in the body, which could lead to serious health problems like cancer and other diseases.In Houston, people who live close to a creosote-based treatment plant run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has requested the assistance of the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated facility.The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having its rail yard contaminated in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, such as creosote. Residents say that the company has been working to clean up contamination but the plan that was submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.One of the biggest problems that stemmed from the contamination was the groundwater plume under the homes in the region. A recent study by health officials has found that soil samples from the rail yard contain higher levels of creosote than what is required for drinking water.Another issue is the gradual release of creosote in the air. It is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which could cause death for both children and adults.It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer for those who breathe them. A door-to-door health survey is being carried out in the neighborhood to learn more about how the vapors are impacting the lives of residents.This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a pity and should be taken care of immediately.A Department of State Health Services study found that the rate of leukemia was five times higher among children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.