Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn't done enough to clean the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. The latest tests have revealed that the contamination may continue to affect people who live nearby. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements believe it's due to the high number of cancers in the region. Two years after launching a state-wide health investigation Researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote, a common chemical, is employed in the treatment of wood. It is also a toxic substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit is a thick oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other kinds of wood, including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to protect log structures and homes against insects and rot.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote can be a dangerous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause irritation to the skin and eyes and chemical burns stomach pain and burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues.Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. 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 with a variety of cancers, including esophageal as well lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, thanks to a former railroad yard right next to their homes. They say the chemical has affected their homes and soil and continues to spread underground.The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the initiative to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination regularly and adopt preventative measures to stop the spread.In October 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes and is causing significant health problems.They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering and also damages from railroads for the cost of cleaning and other associated costs. They claim that they have been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination and other forms of pollution that has affected them and their families.DioxinDioxins are a class of chemicals that don't break down in environment quickly , and can remain in the air, in the soil, or sediment for a long period. They can be derived from diverse sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.The effects of dioxin on health are unclear at low levels, but there is evidence that they can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. Railroad Cancer Lawyer who are exposed at higher levels of dioxin are found to be at a higher risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune system problems, and endocrine disorders such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal issues, weakened immunity as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most prevalent way people are exposed is through food and water. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble, so they are easily taken in by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products as well as fish and other seafood.But it is important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that will have adverse effects on your health depends on many factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat and how much you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender and age, your diet, and family traits to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.The kind of contaminant used is equally important. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to have a damaging impact on health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, are more likely than creosote affect your health.PCBs can cause damage to the eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system and cause issues with the development of healthy bones, teeth, and bones. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster of cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right next to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department claimed that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. The release stated that the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter and also said that a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be sufficient in light of the findings.Polychlorinated BiphenylsPCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are harmful chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. After being found to cause cancer and weaken the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.PCBs can contaminate soil and water as well as air in many areas of the world after they are released into the environment. They are powerful binders of organic matter, and are transported easily and accumulated in the environment.PCBs are a significant concern for protecting the environment as well as public health. They are regarded as a possible 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 especially applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals during the womb.The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs, fish is the main source of exposure. But, 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 has been infected with PCBs. This could be due to leaks or spills which could occur in electrical and other equipment.People may also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or through skin contact. These chemicals can cause the condition known as Chloracne. This is a tiny pale, yellow-colored lesions that can last for several weeks to several years.However the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet fully understood. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However further research is required 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 Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. 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 toxic metal that can be found in a variety of items like paints pipes, and food cans. The body absorbs it through two major routes: oral and respiratory.It is a strong chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals in your surroundings. It can build up within the body and could cause serious health problems like cancer and other diseases.Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote legacy plant have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's help in the cleanup of the railroad's toxic site.The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals for humans, such as creosote. The company has been trying to clean up the contamination, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough, residents say.One of the most significant issues that resulted from the contamination was the groundwater plume under the homes in the region. A recent study conducted by health officials has found that soil samples taken from the rail yard have higher levels of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.Another issue is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. As it escapes, it is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors which are toxic for both children and adults.It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer for those who inhale them. A door-to-door health assessment is being carried out in the neighborhood to discover more about how the vapors affect the lives of the residents.This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation and should be dealt with immediately.A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher for children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was expected. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these neighborhoods than in other areas of Texas.