Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?For Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit , residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to remove creosote in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the most recent tests suggest that the contamination could still be affecting people who live nearby.Researchers believe it's due to the high incidence of cancers in the area. Two years into a state health investigation and they found higher than expected rates of childhood leukemia and adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site. Railroad Cancer which is a common chemical that is used to treat wood is also a typical one. It is also a toxic substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.It is a thick oily substance that's black or amber in appearance and has a smoky smell and a burnt flavor. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.It is used in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, such as fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings for marine structures. It is also used to protect log homes and other structures against decay and insect infestation.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote could be a dangerous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause irritation to the skin and eyes chemical burns, stomach pain, burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver issues.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.It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen, as per the EPA. Railroad Cancer Lawyer has been linked to a range of cancers of various types such as esophageal or lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, thanks to a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and continues to spread underground.Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to stop it from spreading.A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote had contaminated their soil and caused serious health problems from the former rail yard.They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering and damages from railroads for the cost of cleaning and other costs. They claim to have suffered the effects of environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.DioxinDioxins are chemical compounds that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, in the soil or in sediment for long periods. They can be found in a variety of places in natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.The health effects of dioxin are unclear at low levels, but there is evidence that they may cause cancer as well as other serious diseases. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements of dioxin have been linked to an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers immune issues, and endocrine issues, like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal problems, suppressed immunity as well as diabetes, menstrual problems and weight loss.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most frequent way that people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. 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.It is important to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins could have a detrimental effect on your health, based on numerous factors , including how much you eat, drink, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also essential to consider your gender, age as well as your diet, nutritional status and family characteristics and other health factors that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.The kind of contaminant is also important. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative effect on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also damage the immune system and cause problems with the growth of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.For years, residents in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a cluster of cancer deaths that has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their communities. The city's health department announced on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The announcement said the results were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he plans to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient in light of the findings.Polychlorinated BiphenylsPCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. After they were proven to cause cancer and weaken the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in many areas of the world. They are powerful binders of organic matter, and are easily transported and accumulated into the environment.As a result, PCBs are a major threat for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA considers them a potential human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in lab animals.Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals in the womb.The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food. Fish is the main source of exposure because they are the largest source of PCBs. But, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.Another way to get exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is infected with PCBs. This could be the result of leaks or spills from electrical or other equipment.Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through skin. These chemicals can cause a condition called Chloracne. It is a small pale, yellow-colored lesions that last for weeks to years.The effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely understood. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to understand the extent to which this impacts us.EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects for newborns, including less weight at birth. Low birth weight is associated with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. In two studies, children who were born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower body weight at birth and/or later in childhood.LeadLead is a highly toxic metal that can be found in many products, such as paints, pipes and food cans. The body can absorb it through two main routes: oral and respiratory.It is an extremely chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other substances in your environment. This can lead to it accumulating within the body and cause serious health issues like cancer, among other diseases.In Houston residents living near a creosote legacy treatment plant run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's assistance in the cleanup of the railroad's toxic site.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. Residents claim that the company has been working to get rid of the pollution, but the plan that was submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is one of the most serious effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the health department shows that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples in the rail yard is higher than the level recommended for drinking water.Another issue is the gradual release of creosote in the air. It can cause residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which can be fatal for children and adults.It is also possible that the particles are causing cancers among the residents who are breathing the vapors in. To find out more about the effects of the vapors on lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being done in the neighborhood.This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very tragic situation that must be dealt with immediately.A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a type of leukemia that was five times more frequently than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.