Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn't done enough to clean the underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. And now, the latest tests show the contamination could continue to affect people who live nearby. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements believe it is due to the high rate of cancers in the area. Two years after launching an investigation into health issues across the state, researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote, a common chemical, is used to treat wood. It is also a toxic substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.It is a dense oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a bitter taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods like fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings from marine construction. It can also be used for protecting log homes and other structures against insects and rot.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states creosote is an extremely hazardous chemical. Short-term exposure can cause irritation of the skin and eyes and chemical burns stomach discomfort and burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver problems.Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum cancers. This is a serious concern for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen, according to the EPA. It has been linked with a variety of cancers of various types including esophageal as well as lung cancer.Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time, thanks to an old rail yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil, and continues to spread underground.Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to prevent the spread.In October of 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil, causing significant health problems from the former rail yard. Railroad Cancer Settlement Amounts are seeking compensation from the railroad to help cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim to have suffered the effects of environmental racism, discrimination, and other forms of pollution that affected their families as well as them.DioxinDioxins are chemical compounds that don't break down in environment quickly . They can be left in the air, water soil, or sediment for a long period. They can be found in a variety of sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't identified yet, there is evidence suggesting that they can trigger serious diseases like cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked with an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune problems, and endocrine problems, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive issues, a weak immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes, hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts known as chloracne.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most common way people are exposed is through food and water. They are not water-soluble or volatile, therefore they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish and other seafood.However, it is important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that has adverse effects on your health depends on many factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you drink or eat and how often you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender, age as well as your diet, nutritional status and family traits, as well as other health factors that could affect your risk of being affected by dioxins or not.Additionally, the type of contaminant is also an important factor. The EPA states that certain toxic substances are more likely to cause harm impact on human health than others. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They can also harm a person's immune system and hinder the growth of healthy bones and teeth.For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a cluster of cancer-related deaths which has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their homes. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department revealed that they discovered cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The release said that the results 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 that he submitted to Texas environmental regulators will not be adequate in light of the findings.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for over 60 years. These substances were banned in 1979 after being found to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and hinder learning.After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil throughout the world. They bind strongly to organic matter, and are generally persistent that means they are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.PCBs are a major issue for protecting the environment as well as public health. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been found to cause cancer in lab animals.Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. Railroad Cancer Settlements is especially relevant for children who are exposed to these chemicals during the womb.The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs Fish is the primary 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 could be caused by leaks or spills in electrical equipment and other.People can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin contact. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is a mild, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last for months or even years.However the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet completely recognized. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However it is necessary to conduct more research to understand how this impacts us.The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborn babies. Low birth weight has been linked to insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. Two studies found that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or later in life.LeadLead is a toxic metal that is found in a wide range of products, including paints, pipes and food containers. The body can absorb it through two main routes: oral and respiratory.It is a strong oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals in your surroundings. This can lead to its accumulation in the body , and could lead to serious health problems such as cancer and other diseases.Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked for the assistance of the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's contamination site.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, like creosote. The company has been working to clean up the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough, residents say.The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is among the most dangerous consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the health department has revealed that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples from the rail yard is much higher than the level recommended for drinking water.Another reason to be concerned is that creosote is slowly disappearing into the air. As it is, it causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that are toxic for both children and adults.It is also possible that fumes are causing cancers to the residents who are breathing them in. A door-to door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to discover more about how the vapors impact the residents' lives.This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a sad state of affairs and should be addressed immediately.A recent study by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a type of leukemia at a five times more frequently than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.