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 the creosote sludge that is buried at its rail yard that is contaminated. The latest tests have shown that contamination could still be in the vicinity of residents.Researchers believe it's due to the high incidence of cancers that are found in the area. Two years into a state health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote, a common chemical that is used to treat wood is also a popular one. It is also a toxic substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it.It is a thick oily substance that's amber or black in color and has a smoky smell and a burnt flavor. It is a distillation of coal product and has been used for more than 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.It is employed in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, like fence posts, utility poles, as well as marine pilings. It is also used to protect log structures and homes against the effects of rot and insect invasion.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote can be a hazardous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause eye and skin irritation as well as chemical burns stomach discomfort, burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver problems.Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious concern for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.According to the EPA, it is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety of different types of cancer, including esophageal and lung cancer.Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades, thanks to an old rail yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes and is spreading underground.Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. Cancer Lawsuits are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination and take measures to stop the spread of the disease.In October of 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil and caused significant health problems as a result of the former rail yard.They are seeking damages from the railroad to help cover the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They claim to have been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other types of pollution that has affected their families and themselves.DioxinDioxins are chemicals that do not break down quickly in the environment, and they can stay in the air, water, or sediment for a lengthy period of. They can come from various sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels are not yet known but there is evidence that they could cause serious diseases like cancer. Higher levels of dioxin are linked to a higher risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune-related issues and endocrine disorders, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal issues, weakened immunity and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most popular way that people are exposed to dioxin is through food or drinking water. They aren't water-soluble or volatile, therefore they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products or fish and other seafood.However, Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts is important to remember that the level of exposure that could have negative effects on your health is contingent upon various factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you consume alcohol or food, and how often you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, your diet, and family traits to determine if you will be exposed to dioxins.The type of contaminant also important. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to cause harm impact on health than others. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also damage a person's immune system and interfere with the growth of healthy teeth and bones.For years, residents in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a string of cancer deaths that has been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their neighborhoods. The city's health department reported on Friday that it found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The release said that the results were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan proposed by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. After they were proven to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.PCBs can cause contamination of soil and water as well as air in many areas of the globe once they are released into the environment. They are strong binding agents of organic matter, and are easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.This is why PCBs are a major issue for the protection of public health and the environment. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA, and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in laboratory animals.Some studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children exposed these chemicals while pregnant.PCBs are most commonly ingested through food. Fish are the primary source of exposure, since they contain the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.Showering and drinking water is another way to be exposed. Railroad Workers can be caused by leaks or spills that occur in electrical equipment and other.Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through their skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as chloracne which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions which can last from a few weeks to a few years.However, the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet fully comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However, more research is needed to understand how this impacts us.EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns, such as less weight at birth. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies found that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or an earlier age.LeadLead is a toxic metal and is present in many products, including paints, pipes and food containers. It is absorbed by the body through two major pathways: oral and respiratory.It is a strong chemical that can oxidize and react with other chemicals present in your environment. This can cause it to accumulate within the body. This can cause serious health issues like cancer and other illnesses.In Houston, people who live near a creosote treatment facility run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has asked for assistance from the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's toxic site.Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. Residents have claimed that the company has been working to eliminate the contamination, but the plan that was submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.One of the major problems that arose from the contamination is the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the area. A recent study conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard contain higher levels of creosote than that recommended for drinking water.Another issue is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. It can cause residents to breathe harmful levels of vapors which could cause death for children and adults.It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in those who inhale them. A door-to-door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to understand how the vapors affect the lives of residents.This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation and it should be resolved immediately.A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher for children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.