Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians? Cancer Lawsuit Settlements have complained for years that the company hasn’t taken the necessary steps to clean up an underground plume contaminated rail yard. The latest tests show the contamination could still be affecting people who live nearby.Researchers believe it could be related to elevated cancer rates 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 childhood lymphoblastic and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote, a chemical commonly that is used to treat wood is also a very common one. It can also cause cancer in those exposed to it.It is a heavy, oily substance that is black or amber in appearance and has a smoky odor and a burnt flavor. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been in use for more than 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.It is widely 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 marine pilings. It can also be used for protecting log structures and homes from the effects of rot and insect invasion.According to Cancer Lawsuit Settlements United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote, according to the EPA, is a potentially dangerous chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a short periods can cause irritation to the eyes and skin, chemical burns stomach pains, burning of throat or mouth, kidney or liver problems and even permanent damage.Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum tumors. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.It is believed to be a human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked to various cancers such as esophageal cancer as well lung cancer.Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for years due to an old rail yard close to their homes. They claim the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and continues to spread underground.The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to prevent the spread.A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes and is causing significant health issues.They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering and also damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They claim that they have been harmed by racism in the environment and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that affected them and their families.DioxinDioxins are a class of chemicals that do not degrade quickly in the environment, and they can stay in the air, water, or sediment for a lengthy period of time. They can come from many sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't known however, there is evidence to suggest that they could cause serious diseases like cancer. The people who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin have been found to be at greater risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune system issues and endocrine issues like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal problems, suppressed immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most prevalent way people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They aren't liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish and other seafood.It is nevertheless important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that has negative effects on your health is contingent upon various factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you consume alcohol or food, and the amount of air you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and age, nutritional status, and family traits to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.In Railroad Cancer , the type of contaminant can be an important factor. The EPA states that certain toxic substances are more likely to have a damaging impact on health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to negatively impact your health.PCBs can cause damage to eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also harm the immune system and cause issues in the development of healthy bones, teeth and bones.For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a string of cancer deaths that has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their neighborhoods. The city's health department announced Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit said the results were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.Polychlorinated BiphenylsPolychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for more than 60 years. These substances were banned in 1979 following being proven to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and hinder learning.PCBs can infect soil as well as water and air in a variety of regions around the globe after they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter and are generally persistent which means they are easy to transport and build up in the environment.PCBs are a major concern for protecting the environment and public health. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been shown to cause cancer in lab animals.Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who are exposed PCBs in the womb.The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food. 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.Another way to get exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been affected by PCBs. This can happen from leaks or spills that can be caused by electrical or other equipment.People can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or by skin contact. These chemicals can trigger a condition called chloracne, which is a tiny, pale yellow skin lesions which can last from a few weeks to a few years.The effects of PCBs on human health are still not fully known. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary tract cancers in humans, but further research is needed to find out what this means for us.EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals cause birth defects in newborns, including lower birth weight. A low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as 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 like paints, pipes, and food cans. The body absorbs it through two main routes: the respiratory and oral.It is an extremely chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals in your environment. This can cause it to accumulate in the body and can cause serious health issues such as cancer and other diseases.In Houston residents living near a legacy creosote treatment facility owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has asked the federal government to order the railroad to clean the site that is contaminated.The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of polluting its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic for humans, such as creosote. The company has been trying to remove the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents believe.The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is one of the most grave effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has found that soil samples from the rail yard contain more creosote than that recommended for drinking water.Another cause for concern is the slow evaporation of creosote into the atmosphere. As Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit is, it causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that can be toxic for both children and adults.It is also possible that vapors are causing cancers in those who breathe them in. To learn more about the effects of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents there is a door-to door survey being done in the neighborhood.This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation that needs to be addressed immediately.A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a form of leukemia at a five-fold higher rate than the average. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.