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 in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. The latest tests have demonstrated that the contamination could be an issue for residents living nearby.Researchers believe it's due to the high number of cancers in the area. Two years after the launch of a state-wide health investigation the researchers discovered that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote is a chemical commonly that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a poisonous substance that can 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 smell and a bitter taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other types of wood, including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It is also used for protecting log houses and other structures from decay and insect infestation.According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is a potentially dangerous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause skin and eye irritation and chemical burns stomach discomfort burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems.Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious concern for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.According to the EPA it is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a number of different cancer types including esophageal and lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote because of 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 throughout the underground.Harris County and Houston have joined the effort 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.In Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements of 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes , causing serious health issues.They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering as well as damages from railroads for the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They also claim that they are suffering from environmental racism and discrimination, and other types of pollution that have impacted them and their families.DioxinDioxins are a class of chemicals that do not break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, in the soil or sediment for a long period. Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements are found in a variety places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels aren't known however, there is evidence to suggest that they can cause serious illnesses , such as cancer. The people who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to be at greater risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system disorders and endocrine changes like hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger hormonal issues, weakened immunity and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most popular way people are exposed to the toxins is through food and water. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble, so they are easily absorbable by the body via the intake of dairy products, meat, fish, and other seafood.It is important to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins could be detrimental to your health based on a variety of factors , including how much you drink, eat and the frequency with which you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender and age, nutritional status, and family characteristics to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.Additionally, Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts of contaminant is an important aspect. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging impact on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.PCBs can cause damage to eyes, liver, kidneys, and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system of the person and hinder the growth of healthy teeth and bones.For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a series of cancer-related deaths which has been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their neighborhoods. The city's health department announced on Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The announcement said the results were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan proposed by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.Polychlorinated BiphenylsPCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. After being shown to cause cancer and weaken the immune system PCBs were banned in 1979.When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in a variety of areas around the world. They are extremely binders to organic matter and are generally persistent, meaning they are relatively simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.As a result, PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of public health and the environment. The EPA considers them to be a possible human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.In addition certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children exposed PCBs in the womb.The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef and other agricultural products.Another way to get exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been infected with PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spills from electrical or other equipment.People are also exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or by skin contact. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as chloracne which is a small, pale skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely known. Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However it is necessary to conduct more research to determine how this impacts us.The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been linked to insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in the course of. 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 highly toxic metal that is found in many items including paints, pipes, and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two main routes: oral and respiratory.It is an extremely antioxidant and can react with other chemicals present in the environment. This could cause it to build up within the body and cause serious health issues like cancer, among other ailments.Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote legacy plant are at risk of cancer. The city has requested the assistance of the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contaminated site.Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The company has tried to clean up the contamination, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough, residents say.One of the most significant problems that resulted from the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the area. A recent study conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard contain an increased amount of creosote than that recommended for drinking water.Another concern is the slow evaporation of creosote to the atmosphere. It is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors that are toxic for both children and adults.It is also possible that the vapors are causing cancers in the residents who breathe them in. To find out 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 serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very sad situation that needs to be dealt with immediately.A Department of State Health Services study found that the rate of leukemia was five times higher for children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens areas than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.