Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn't taken the necessary steps to clean up an underground plume contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have shown that contamination is still in the vicinity of residents.Researchers believe it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years into a health study conducted by the state they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote is one of the most common chemicals used in the treatment of wood. It is also a cause of cancer in people who are exposed to it.It is a thick oily substance, amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product and has been used for over 150 years as a 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 protect log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares that creosote may be an extremely hazardous chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for short periods of time can cause irritation to the eyes and skin chemical burns stomach pains, burning in the throat or mouth as well as liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum cancers. This is a significant concern for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen as per the EPA. Railroad Cancer Settlements has been linked with many types of cancer such as esophageal cancer as well lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote thanks to a former railroad yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and is spreading underground.Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination regularly and implement preventative measures to prevent the spread.A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote that was emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes and causing significant health problems.They are seeking damages from the railroad to pay the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They also claim to be harmed by environmental racism and discrimination and other forms of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends.DioxinDioxins are a class of chemicals that do not break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, soil, or sediment for a long time. They are 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 not clear at low levels, but there is evidence that they may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. Dioxin levels that are higher are linked to a higher risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune-related issues and endocrine problems, like hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to problems with hormones, immune suppression, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most frequent way that people are exposed dioxin is through food or drinking water. They are not volatile or water-soluble, which means they are more easily taken in by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.However, it is important to remember that the level of exposure that will have negative effects on your health is contingent upon various factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you drink or eat and the amount of air you breathe. Railroad Cancer Settlement Amounts should also consider your gender, age, nutrition, and family characteristics to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.The kind of contaminant is also important. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to cause harm effect on the human body than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs, are more likely than creosote negatively impact your health.PCBs can cause damage to eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system and cause problems with the growth of healthy teeth, bones and bones.Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancers that have been that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is next to their homes. The announcement made by the city's health department revealed that they found cancer-causing chemicals on surface samples near the rail yard. The release said that the findings were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. They were banned in 1979 following being proven to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and impair learning.PCBs can contaminate soil, water, and air in many parts of the world after they are released into the environment. They are strong binders of organic matter and can be easily transported and accumulated in the environment.PCBs are a major issue for the protection of the environment and public health. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in lab animals.Additionally, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals while pregnant.The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Fish is the primary source of exposure, since they contain the highest amount of PCBs. However, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.Showering and drinking Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements -contaminated water is another method of exposure. This could be due to leaks or spills in electrical or other equipment.Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through the skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is a mild, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that last for weeks to years.However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely understood. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However further research is required to determine how this impacts us.The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborns. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. 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 found in a variety of items like paints pipes, and food cans. It is absorbed into the body via two main routes: oral and respiratory.It is a potent oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals in the environment. This can lead to it accumulating in the body , and could cause serious health issues such as cancer and other illnesses.In Houston, people who live near a creosote legacy treatment plant run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has requested the federal government to instruct the railroad to remove its contaminated site.The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contamination of its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, including creosote. The company has tried to get rid of the mess, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents say.One of the most significant issues that resulted from the contamination is the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the region. A recent study conducted by the health department has revealed that the concentration of creosote in soil samples near the rail yard is much higher than the recommended level for drinking water.Another cause for concern is the gradual release of creosote in the air. As it is, it causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that can be harmful for children as well as adults.It is also possible that fumes are causing cancers to the people who breathe the vapors. A door-to door health survey is being conducted in the area to understand how the vapors impact the lives of the residents.This is a major problem 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 discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a type leukemia at five times higher rate than expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.