[1] 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 contaminated rail yard. The latest tests show that the contamination could still be affecting people who live nearby.Researchers believe that it could be due to the large number of cancers in the region. Two years after the launch of an all-state health investigation, researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote, a common chemical used for the treatment of wood is also a typical one. It is also a cause of cancer in those who are exposed to it.It is a dense, oily substance that is black or amber in color and has a smoky odor and a burnt flavor. It is a distillation of coal 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 structures and homes against rot and insect infestation.According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be an extremely dangerous chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for short periods can cause skin and eye irritation and chemical burns stomach pains, burning in the mouth or throat 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 serious concern for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.According to the EPA it is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety kinds of cancers such as esophageal or lung cancer.Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time, thanks to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. Railroad Workers Cancer claim that the chemical has affected their homes and soil, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test regularly for contamination , and take steps to prevent the spread of the disease.In October of 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil beneath their homes , causing serious health issues.They are seeking compensation from the railroad to help cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim that they have been harmed by racism in the environment and discrimination as well as other kinds of pollution that have affected them and their families.DioxinDioxins are substances that don't break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, soil, or sediment for a long period. They can be found in a variety places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.The effects of dioxin on health aren't clear at low levels, but there is evidence that dioxin can trigger cancer and other serious diseases. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune disorders, and endocrine issues, including hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive issues, a weak immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts called chloracne.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most prevalent way people are exposed is through water and food. They aren't liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be taken into the body via the consumption of dairy products or fish and other seafood.It is nevertheless important to be aware that the amount of exposure that can have a harmful effect on your health is dependent on numerous factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you eat or drink and how much air you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender, age and nutrition status, as well as diet and family characteristics in addition to other factors in your health that could determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.Additionally, the type of contaminant can be an important aspect. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging impact on health than others. For instance, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.PCBs can cause damage to the eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system of a person, and interfere with the development of healthy teeth and bones.Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster of cancers that have been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is next to their homes. The city's health department said on Friday that it found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The release noted that the results were not a good sign. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan presented to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be adequate in light of the findings.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. After they were proven to cause cancer and weaken the immune system PCBs were banned in 1979.After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in a variety of areas around the world. They are strong binders of organic matter and can be transported easily and accumulated in the environment.PCBs are a major problem for protecting the environment and public health. The EPA considers them to be a possible carcinogen for humans and has proven that they can cause cancer in lab animals.In addition certain studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals during pregnancy.PCBs are mainly consumed through food items. Fish is the most common source of exposure since they contain the most 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 the result of leaks or spillages in electrical and other equipment.Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through their skin. These chemicals can trigger 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 human health are not yet completely recognized. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver or biliary tract cancers in humans, however more studies are needed to understand the extent to which this impacts us.The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborn babies. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in life. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or a later age.LeadLead is a highly toxic metal that is present in a variety of products including paints, pipes, and food cans. It can be absorbed by the body through two major routes: respiratory and oral.It is a powerful chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals present in your environment. This can cause it to accumulate in the body and can cause serious health issues like cancer and other illnesses.In Houston the residents who live close to a creosote-based treatment plant run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government for an order to the railroad to clean up its 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, such as creosote. The company has been working to eliminate the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents claim.The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is one of the most dangerous consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard contain a higher concentration of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.Another issue is the slow evaporation of creosote to the atmosphere. It is causing residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which are harmful for children as well as adults.It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in those who inhale them. A door-to-door health survey is being carried out in the neighborhood to understand how the vapors are impacting the lives of the residents.This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a sad state of affairs and it should be taken care of immediately.A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a form leukemia at a five times greater rate than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.