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 remove the creosote sludge that is buried at its contaminated rail yard. Now, the most recent tests show the contamination could continue to affect people who live near.Researchers believe that it could be due to the large number of cancers in the region. Two years after the launch of a state-wide health investigation and a study by researchers, they found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote, a common chemical, is that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a toxic substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it.It is a thick oily substance which is black or amber in appearance and has a smoky odor and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been in use for over 150 years as a wood preservative.In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other kinds of wood including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It is also used to guard log homes and other structures against decay and insect infestation.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote can be a dangerous chemical. Exposure to creosote for short periods can result in skin and eye irritation, chemical burns stomach pains, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues, and even permanent damage.Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. This is a serious issue for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.According to the EPA the EPA, it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a variety kinds of cancers, including esophageal and lung cancer. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit have been exposed for decades to creosote due to a former railroad yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and is spreading underground.The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the effort to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination regularly and implement preventative measures to prevent the spread.A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes , causing serious health issues.They are seeking damages from the railroad to pay the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim to have suffered the effects of environmental racism discrimination, sexism, and other kinds of pollution that have affected them and their families.DioxinDioxins are substances that don't break down in environment quickly and can remain in the air, the soil of the water or in sediment for a long time. Railroad Cancer can be derived from diverse sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, smoke from cigarettes and incineration of 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 who are exposed to higher levels have been found to be at a higher risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system problems and endocrine issues like hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues as well as hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts called chloracne.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most frequent way that people are exposed is through water and food. They are not liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of dairy products, fish and other seafood.However, it is crucial to remember that the level of exposure that will have adverse effects on your health is dependent on many factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat, and how much you breathe. It is also important to take into consideration your gender, age and diet, nutritional status and family characteristics in addition to other health factors that could determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.In addition, the type of contaminant is another important aspect. According to the EPA, some toxins are more dangerous than others to the health of humans. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote cause harm to your health.PCBs can cause damage to eyes, liver, kidneys, and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system and cause problems in the development of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster of cancers that have been that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated close to their homes. The city's health department reported on Friday that it found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The announcement said 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 won't suffice.Polychlorinated BiphenylsPolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. After being found to cause cancer and suppress the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water throughout the world. They are powerful binders of organic matter, and are easily transported and accumulated into the environment.This is why PCBs are a major issue for the protection of public health and the environment. They are deemed to be 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. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is especially the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Fish is the most common source of exposure since they contain the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.Another method of being exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that has been polluted with PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spills that can occur in electrical and other equipment.Similarly, Railroad Cancer Lawsuit 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 tiny, pale yellow skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years.However, the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely recognized. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However further research is required to determine how this impacts us.EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns, like low birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. 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. It can be absorbed by the body via two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.It is an extremely oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals found in the environment. It is able to accumulate in the body, and can lead to serious health issues, such as cancer and other diseases.In Houston the residents who live near a creosote legacy treatment plant run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the assistance of the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated facility.Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The railroad has been trying to get rid of the mess, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents believe.One of the most important problems that resulted due to the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the area. A recent study by health officials has found that soil samples from the rail yard contain a higher concentration of creosote than that recommended for drinking water.Another major concern is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. It is causing residents to inhale harmful levels of vapors which can be fatal for children and adults.It is also possible that the particles are causing cancers among those who breathe the vapors in. To learn more about the effect of the vapors on the lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being done in the neighborhood.This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a pity and should be taken care of immediately.A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a form of leukemia at a five times greater rate than what was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.