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 contaminated rail yard. Now, the most recent tests show the contamination could still be affecting people who live nearby.Researchers say it may be due to higher cancer rates in the area. Two years into a health study conducted by the state and they found higher than expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote is a common chemical that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a dangerous substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.It is a dense oily substance that's black or amber in appearance and has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preservative.In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other types of wood, including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It can also be employed to protect log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is a potentially dangerous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause irritation of the skin and eyes, chemical burns stomach pain burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver problems.Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.According to the EPA, it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a variety of cancers that include esophageal aswell as lung cancer.Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades due to a former rail yard near their homes. The chemical is said to have caused soil and homes to be contaminated, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination regularly and take preventative measures to stop it from spreading.In October 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil under their homes and causing serious health issues.They are seeking compensation for their illness and suffering and damages from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other costs. They also claim to be affected by environmental racism and discrimination, and other kinds of pollution that have impacted them and their families.DioxinDioxins are chemical compounds that do not break down quickly in the environment and they can be found in the air, water, soil or sediment for an extended period of. They can be found in a variety places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes, and incineration or hazardous waste.Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels are not well-studied yet, there is evidence suggesting that they could cause serious illnesses such as cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune-related issues and endocrine issues including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues 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 to dioxin is through food or drinking water. They aren't volatile and water-soluble, so they are easily to be absorbed by the body through the intake of dairy products, meat such as fish, as well as other seafood.But it is important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that can have detrimental effects on your health will depend on many factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you eat or drink and the amount of air you breathe. It is also essential to take into consideration your age, gender and diet, nutritional status and family characteristics along with other health factors that could influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.The type of contaminant is also crucial. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative effect on the human body than others. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.For example, 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 teeth, bones, and bones.For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a series of cancer-related deaths that has been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their neighborhoods. The city's health department announced on Friday that it found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The announcement said the results were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he plans to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be adequate in light of the findings.Polychlorinated BiphenylsPCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are harmful chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. These substances were banned in 1979 after being proven to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and impair learning.PCBs can be harmful to soil and water as well as air in many regions of the world once they are released into the environment. They are powerful binders of organic matter and can be easily transported and accumulated in the environment.This is why PCBs are a major threat for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been found to cause cancer in laboratory animals.Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This could be the result of leaks or spills from electrical and other equipment.People can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or skin contact. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as chloracne which is a tiny, pale, yellow skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.The effects of PCBs upon the human body are not fully understood. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, but more studies are needed to understand how this affects us.EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, such as less weight at birth. Low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular diseases. 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 highly toxic metal that can be found in many products, such as paints, pipes and food containers. The body can absorb it through two routes: oral and respiratory.It is an extremely chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other chemicals in your surroundings. It can accumulate in the body, and could lead to serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.In Houston the residents who live near a creosote legacy treatment plant run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's assistance in the cleanup of the railroad's toxic site.Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The railroad has been trying to eliminate the mess, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents believe.The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is among the most severe consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the health department has shown that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples near the rail yard is greater than the recommended levels for drinking water.Another reason to be concerned is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. It can cause residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which can be fatal for children and adults.It is possible that the vapors cause cancer for those who breathe them. To find out more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of residents there is a door-to door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a terribly sad situation that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a form leukemia at a five times more frequently than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.