Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?For decades, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to remove creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its contaminated rail yard. The most recent tests have shown that the contamination could be impacting residents living near.Researchers suggest it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the region. Two years into a state-wide health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote is a chemical commonly that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a toxic substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.It is a heavy, oily substance that is black or amber in color and has a smokey odor and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been in use for more than 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other types of wood, including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to safeguard log homes and other structures from insect infestation.According to Railroad Workers And Cancer United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be an extremely dangerous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause eye and skin irritation chemical burns stomach discomfort and burning in the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems.Exposure for long periods can lead to skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious issue for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.It is believed to be a human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked to a variety kinds of cancers including esophageal as well as lung cancer.Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years, thanks to an old rail yard located near their homes. They claim the chemical has contaminated their homes and soil, and it continues to spread underground.The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination on a regular basis and adopt preventative measures to stop the spread.In October of 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and causing significant health problems.They are seeking compensation for their ailments and suffering as well as damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other costs. Railroad Workers And Cancer claim to have been harmed by racism in the environment 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 break down quickly in the environment, and they can be found in the soil, air, water or sediment for a lengthy time. They can be found in a variety places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes, and incineration or hazardous waste.The effects of dioxin on health are not known at low levels, however there is evidence that dioxin may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. People exposed to higher levels have been found to be at risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system problems and endocrine imbalances including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause problems with hormones, immune suppression womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most frequent way that people are exposed is through food and water. They are not liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish and other seafood.However, it is crucial to be aware that the amount of exposure that can have a harmful effect on your health is contingent upon numerous factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you drink or eat 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'll be exposed to dioxins.The type of contaminant is also crucial. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging impact on health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, are more likely than creosote cause harm to your health.For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They can also affect the immune system of the person and interfere with the growth of healthy teeth and bones.For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a string of cancer deaths that have been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their communities. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department stated that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The release stated 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 proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.Polychlorinated BiphenylsPCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. PCBs were banned in 1979, after being proven to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and interfere with learning.Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water throughout the world. They bind tightly to organic matter and are often persistent, meaning they are relatively easily transported and accumulated in the environment.PCBs are a major issue for the protection of the environment and public health. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA and have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.In addition, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals during the pregnancy.PCBs are most commonly ingested through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.Another way to get exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is affected by PCBs. This could be the result of leaks or spills in electrical equipment and other.People can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or by skin contact. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as chloracne which is small, pale yellow skin lesions which can last from a few weeks to a few years.The effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely comprehended. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, but further studies are needed to understand how this affects us.The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies found that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or a later age.LeadLead is a poisonous metal and can be found in many products, such as pipes, paints and food cans. It is absorbed into the body through two major routes: respiratory and oral.It is a potent chemical that can oxidize and react with other substances in your environment. Union Pacific Cancer can accumulate in the body, which can cause serious health issues such as cancer and other illnesses.In Houston, people who live near a legacy creosote treatment plant owned by 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 contaminated site.The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having its rail yard contaminated in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, like creosote. The railroad has been trying to clean up the contamination, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents claim.One of the most significant problems that resulted from the contamination is the groundwater plume under the homes in the area. A recent study conducted by health officials has revealed that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain higher levels of creosote than what is required for drinking water.Another major concern is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. It causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that are dangerous for children and adults.It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer among those who inhale them. To find out more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being done in the neighborhood.This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a sad state of affairs and it should be taken care of 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 areas than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these areas than in other areas of Texas.