Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn't taken the necessary steps to clean up an underground plume contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that the contamination could be impacting residents living near.Researchers believe it could be related to elevated cancer rates in the region. Two years after the launch of a state-wide health investigation and a study by researchers, they found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote, a common chemical used to treat wood is also a popular one. It can also cause cancer in those who are exposed to it.It is a thick oily substance that's black or amber in color and has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been in use for more than 150 years as a wood preservative.In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other kinds of wood including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. Railroad Workers can also be used to shield log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote could be an extremely hazardous chemical. Short-term exposure can cause irritation to the skin and eyes chemical burns stomach pain and burning in the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver problems.Exposure for long periods can lead to skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.According to the EPA the EPA, it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with several cancers that include esophageal aswell lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, thanks to a former railroad yard right next to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes and continues to spread underground.Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test frequently for contamination and take steps to stop it from spreading.A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil and caused serious health problems from the former rail yard.They are seeking damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They claim that they have been affected by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other kinds of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.DioxinDioxins are chemicals which aren't able to break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, in the soil or in sediment for a lengthy period. They can come from many sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels aren't identified however, there is evidence to suggest that they can trigger serious diseases like cancer. People exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to be at greater risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune system problems, and endocrine imbalances like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal issues, weakened immunity, diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.According to Cancer Lawsuit . Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most popular way people are exposed to the toxins is through food and water. They are not volatile and water-soluble, which means they are more easily absorbed by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products fish, and other seafood.However, it is important to remember that the amount of exposure that could have adverse effects on your health is contingent upon several factors, such as the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you drink or eat and how much you breathe. It is also crucial to take into consideration your gender, age as well as your diet, nutritional status and family traits along with other health factors that may determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.Furthermore, the kind of contaminant can be an important aspect. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to cause harm impact on health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs are more likely than creosote have a negative effect on your health.PCBs can cause damage to eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also harm the immune system of a person and affect the development of healthy teeth and bones.For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a rash of cancer deaths that has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their communities. The announcement made by the city's health department revealed that they had identified cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The release stated that 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 proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for over 60 years. After they were proven to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system PCBs were banned in 1979.PCBs can be harmful to soil or water as well as air in many areas around the globe after they are released into the environment. They bind tightly to organic matter and tend to remain in the environment for a long time and therefore, are easy to transport and build up in the environment.Therefore, PCBs are a major issue for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in lab animals.Additionally, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children exposed these chemicals during the womb.PCBs are most often ingested through food. Fish is the most common source of exposure, as they contain the highest amount of PCBs. But, Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This can be caused by leaks or spillages in electrical equipment and other.Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or by touching the skin. These chemicals can cause a condition called Chloracne. It is a small, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that last for weeks or even years.However the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely comprehended. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary tract cancers in humans, but more studies are needed to determine the extent to which this impacts us.EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects for newborns, including less weight at birth. Low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. Two studies showed that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or a later age.LeadLead is a toxic metal that is found in many products, including pipes, paints and food containers. It can be absorbed by the body via two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.It is a strong chemical that can oxidize and react with other substances in your environment. It can build up within the body, which could cause serious health issues such as cancer and other illnesses.Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility are at a high risk of cancer. The city has asked for the assistance of the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contamination site.The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having its rail yard contaminated in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic for humans, such as creosote. Residents say that the company has been working to clean up contamination but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.One of the most important problems that stemmed due to the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the area. A recent study by the department of health 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 concern is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. It causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which can be fatal for both children and adults.It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer among those who inhale them. A door-to-door health assessment is being carried out in the neighborhood to discover more about how the vapors impact the residents' lives.This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a terribly sad situation that must be addressed immediately.A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a form of leukemia at five times more frequently than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in these areas than elsewhere in Texas.