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 creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its contaminated rail yard. And now, the latest tests have revealed that the contamination may continue to affect people who live nearby.Researchers suggest it could be related to elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years after launching a state-wide health investigation, researchers 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 is a common chemical used to treat wood. It can also cause cancer in those exposed to it.It is a thick oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.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 can also be employed to protect log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be an extremely dangerous chemical. The exposure to creosote over short periods can cause skin and eye irritation as well as chemical burns, stomach discomfort, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues and even permanent damage.Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum tumors. This is a major concern for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.It is considered a probable human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked with a variety of cancers of various types including esophageal as well as lung cancer.Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years, thanks to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They say the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and continues to spread throughout the underground.The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements are demanding that the company 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 allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes and is causing significant health issues.They are seeking compensation from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They claim they are suffering from environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that have impacted them and their families.DioxinDioxins are chemicals which don't break down in environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, in the soil or sediment for long periods. They are found in a variety of locations that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.The health effects of dioxin are not known at low levels, however there is evidence that suggests they can cause cancer and other serious diseases. Patients who are exposed at higher levels have been found to be at risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune system problems, and endocrine imbalances like hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal issues, suppressed immunity and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most common way people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They aren't liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of dairy products, fish and other seafood.It is crucial to keep in mind, however, that exposure to dioxins could cause harm to your health depending on many factors like how much you drink, eat, and how often you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender, age, nutrition, and family characteristics to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.The kind of contaminant used is also important. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more dangerous than others to the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs are more likely than creosote to affect your health.For Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit , PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They can also harm a person's immune system and interfere with the growth of healthy teeth 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 right next to their homes. The city's health department said on Friday that it had found cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The announcement said the findings were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators will not suffice.Polychlorinated BiphenylsPolychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. PCBs were banned in 1979, after they were found to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and interfere with learning.After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water throughout the world. Railroad Cancer are extremely binders to organic matter and tend to be persistent and therefore, are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.This is why PCBs are a major issue for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA considers them to be a possible human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in lab animals.Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This can result from leaks or spills which could occur in electrical and other equipment.People can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or through skin contact. These chemicals can cause a condition called chloracne, which is small, pale, yellow skin lesions that can last from a few weeks to a few years.The effects of PCBs upon the human body are not completely known. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However further research is required to understand how this affects us.EPA has also been investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects for newborns, including less weight at birth. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, 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 poisonous metal and is found in a wide range of products, including pipes, paints, and food cans. The body can absorb it via two routes: oral and respiratory.It is an extremely oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals present in your environment. This can cause it to accumulate in the body , and could lead to serious health problems like cancer, among other diseases.In Houston the residents who live near a legacy creosote treatment plant run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing cancer. The city has requested the federal government's help in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated site.Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having caused harm to its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents claim that the company has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but the plan that was submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.One of the major problems that arose from the contamination was the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the area. A recent study by the health department shows that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples near the rail yard is greater than the recommended level for drinking water.Another cause for concern is the slow evaporation of creosote to the atmosphere. It causes residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors, which could cause death for both children and adults.It is also possible that the particles are causing cancers among those who breathe them in. To learn more about the impact of the vapors in the lives of residents, a door-to-door survey is being done in the neighborhood.This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a pity and must be dealt with immediately.A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a form of leukemia at a five times more frequently than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.