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. The latest tests have demonstrated that the contamination may be impacting residents living near. Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts believe it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years into a state-wide health investigation and they found higher than expected rates of childhood leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote which is a common chemical used for the treatment of wood is also a popular one. It can also cause cancer in people who are 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 distillation of coal product and has been used for more than 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other types of wood, including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It can also be used to shield log homes and other structures from insect infestation.According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote, according to the EPA, is an extremely dangerous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause eye and skin irritation as well as chemical burns, stomach discomfort, burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver issues.Exposure for long periods can lead to skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked to a variety of cancers that include esophageal aswell lung cancer.Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years due to a former rail yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil and continues to spread underground.Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and implement preventative measures to prevent the spread.In October 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused major health problems as a result of the former rail yard.They are seeking compensation from the railroad to cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim that they have been affected by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that has affected their families and themselves.DioxinDioxins are substances that do not break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, the soil of the water or sediment for a lengthy period. They can be derived from many sources, including natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.The health effects of dioxin aren't clear at low levels, but there is evidence that suggests they can cause cancer and other serious diseases. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune disorders, and endocrine disorders, including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive issues, a weak immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues, weight loss, hair growth 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 volatile or water-soluble, so they are easily taken in by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.It is important to remember that exposure can cause harm to your health depending on many factors such as how much you consume, drink, and the frequency you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender, age, diet, nutritional status and family characteristics along with other health factors that can influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.The type of contaminant also crucial. The EPA states that certain toxic substances are more likely to have a negative impact on health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs are more likely than creosote affect your health.PCBs can cause damage to eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also affect a person's immune system and hinder the growth of healthy teeth and bones.For Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts , residents in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a string of cancer-related deaths which has been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their neighborhoods. The announcement made by the city's health department stated that it found cancer-causing chemicals on surface samples near the rail yard. The release said the results weren't encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. After being shown to cause cancer and weaken the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.PCBs can cause contamination of soil or water as well as air in many regions of the world after they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter and tend to be persistent and therefore, are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.PCBs are a significant concern for protecting the environment as well as public health. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been proven to cause cancer in laboratory animals.Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during the pregnancy.PCBs are most commonly consumed through food. Fish are the primary source of exposure because they are the largest source of PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.Showering and drinking water is another way to be exposed. This could be due to leaks or spills that can occur in electrical and other equipment.Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or through skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is a tiny pale, yellow-colored lesions that may last for months or even years.However, the effects of PCBs on human health aren't fully recognized. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However, more research is needed to discover how this impacts us.The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborn babies. Low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies revealed that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or a later age.LeadLead is a toxic metal that is found in a variety of items, such as paints, pipes and food cans. It is absorbed into the body through two major routes: oral and respiratory.It is a potent oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals in your environment. This could cause it to build up within the body and lead to serious health problems like cancer and other diseases.In Houston residents living close to a creosote-based treatment facility run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's help in the cleanup of the railroad's contamination site.The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic for humans, such as creosote. Cancer Lawsuit has been trying to get rid of the contamination, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents believe.The plume of groundwater that flows below the 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 taken from the rail yard contain more creosote than that recommended for drinking water.Another cause for concern is the slow release of creosote from the atmosphere. As it is, it is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors that are toxic for both children and adults.It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in those who inhale them. To learn more about the effect of the vapors in the lives of residents, a door-to-door survey is being conducted in the neighborhood.This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a terribly sad situation that must be addressed immediately.A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a type leukemia that was five times more frequently than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.