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 underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. And now, the most recent tests show the contamination could continue to affect those who live nearby.Researchers believe it is due to the high number of cancers in the region. Two years into a state-wide health investigation and they found higher than expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote, a common chemical used to treat wood is also a popular one. It can also cause cancer in those who are exposed to it.It is a heavy oily substance, ranging from amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product that has been in use 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 like fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings for marine use. It is also used for protecting log homes and other structures against decay and insect infestation.According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote, according to the EPA, is potentially dangerous chemical. Short-term exposure can cause irritation to the skin and eyes as well as chemical burns, stomach discomfort, burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems.Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. 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 It is a possible human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to several cancers which include esophageal, as well lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, thanks to a former railroad yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil and continues to spread underground.The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the effort to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests frequently for contamination and take measures to stop the spread of the disease.A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil, causing significant health issues as a result of the former rail yard.They are seeking damages from the railroad to help cover the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They claim that they have been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that have affected their families as well as them.DioxinDioxins are chemical compounds that do not degrade quickly in the environment and can remain in the air, water, soil or sediment for a lengthy period of. They can be found in various sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.The health effects of dioxin are not clear at low levels, however there is evidence that suggests they can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune issues, and endocrine disorders, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger problems with hormones, immune suppression, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method that people are exposed dioxin is through food or drinking water. They are not water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.But it is important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that could have adverse effects on your health will depend on numerous factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you drink or eat and how much air you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender, age and nutrition status, as well as diet and family characteristics and other health factors that may influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.The type of contaminant is crucial. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more harmful than others to human health. Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to affect your health.For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They can also damage the immune system of the person and interfere with the growth of healthy teeth and bones.Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated close to their homes. The city's health department said on Friday that it had found cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The release said that the results were "not encouraging." Csx Lawsuit Settlements told FOX 26 that he plans to sue Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan presented to Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient in light of the findings.Polychlorinated BiphenylsPolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in industrial and household products for more than 60 years. PCBs were banned in 1979 following being discovered to cause cancer, weaken the immune system and inhibit learning.PCBs can infect soil, water, and air in a variety of regions of the world after they are released into the environment. They are powerful binders of organic matter and can be transported easily and accumulated in the environment.In the end, PCBs are a major concern for the protection of public health and the environment. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been found to cause cancer in laboratory animals.Additionally certain studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during the pregnancy.The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Fish are the primary source of exposure since they contain the highest amount of PCBs. However, Railroad Cancer Settlement Amounts can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.Showering and drinking water is another method of exposure. This could be caused by leaks or spills that occur in electrical equipment and other.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 skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.The effects of PCBs on human health are not fully known. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However, more research is needed to better understand how this impacts us.EPA has also been investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, including low birth weight. A low birth weight has been linked to insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. In two studies, children 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 is present in a variety of products, such as paints, pipes and food cans. The body absorbs it via two routes: the respiratory and oral.It is a powerful antioxidant that can react with other chemicals in the surrounding. This could cause it to build up within the body. This can cause serious health issues such as cancer and other illnesses. Lung Cancer Lawsuit Settlements who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's legacy creosote plant have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government for an order to the railroad to clean up its contaminated facility.The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contamination of its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, including creosote. The railroad has been trying to clean up the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents believe.One of the most significant issues that resulted due to the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the region. A recent study by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote in soil samples in the rail yard is much higher than the recommended levels for drinking water.Another major concern is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. It is causing residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors, which can be fatal for both children and adults.It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in those who inhale them. To learn more about the impact of the vapors in the lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being done in the neighborhood.This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very sad situation that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.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 that was five times higher rate than the average. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than in other areas of Texas.