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 most recent tests have shown that the contamination could be impacting residents living near.Researchers believe it could be linked to the increased cancer rates in the area. Two years into a state-wide health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote is a common chemical that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a poisonous substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.It is a dense, oily substance that is black or amber in color and has a smoky smell and a burnt flavor. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years to preserve wood.It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, such as fence posts and utility poles, and pilings from marine construction. It can also be used to guard log structures and homes against rot and insect infestation.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares creosote is a hazardous chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for brief periods may cause skin and eye irritation and chemical burns stomach pains, burning in the throat or mouth as well as liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a major concern for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.According to the EPA the EPA, it is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a number of cancers of various types including esophageal as well as lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, due to a former railroad yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil and is spreading underground.Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test regularly for contamination and to take measures to stop the spread of the disease.A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes and is causing serious health issues.They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering and also damages from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They claim that they have been affected by environmental racism, discrimination, and other forms of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.DioxinDioxins are chemical compounds that don't break down in environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, water soil or sediment for a long time. They can be found in many places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes, and incineration or hazardous waste.Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't yet known, there is evidence that they can cause serious diseases like cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked with an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers, immune problems, and endocrine issues, including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts known as chloracne.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most prevalent way people are exposed to the toxins is through food and water. They are not volatile and water-soluble so they are more easily absorbed by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat as well as fish and other seafood.It is vital to remember, however, that exposure can cause harm to your health, based on numerous factors like how much you eat, drink, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also essential to consider your age, gender, diet, nutritional status and family traits, as well as other health factors that may affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.The type of contaminant also important. According to the EPA certain toxins are more dangerous than others to human health. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs are more likely than creosote to cause harm to your health.For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They can also affect the immune system and cause problems with the growth of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a series of cancer-related deaths that has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, close to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department revealed that they discovered cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the surface near the rail yard. The release 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 plan submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. After being shown to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.PCBs can infect soil and water as well as air in many parts of the world once they are released into the environment. They bind strongly to organic matter and tend to be persistent that means they are easy to transport and build up in the environment.PCBs are a major issue for protecting the environment and public health. The EPA considers them a probable human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in lab animals.Additionally certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.The most common route for exposure to PCBs is through food items. railroad cancer settlement is the primary source of exposure because they are the largest source of PCBs. However, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.Showering and drinking water is another way to be exposed. This could be caused by leaks or spills that occur in electrical and other equipment.Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through their skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is a tiny pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that may last for weeks or even years.The effects of PCBs on human health are still not fully comprehended. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or the biliary tract cancers among humans, however more studies are needed to discover how this affects us.The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborn babies. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular disease. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or older.LeadLead is a poisonous metal and is found in a variety of products, including paints, pipes, and food cans. The body can absorb it through two major routes: oral and respiratory.It is a strong chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other chemicals in your surroundings. This can lead to it accumulating within the body and cause serious health issues like cancer, among other illnesses.Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility are at risk of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's assistance in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated facility.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 been trying to eliminate the mess, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents say.One of the most important problems that arose from the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the area. A recent study by the health department has shown that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples around the rail yard is more than the levels recommended for drinking water.Another concern is the slow evaporation of creosote to the atmosphere. As it is, it causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors, which are harmful for children as well as adults.It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in people who breathe them. To learn more about the effects of the vapors on lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being conducted in the neighborhood.This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation that needs to be addressed immediately.A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher for children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than in other areas of Texas.