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 rail yard that is contaminated. Now, the most recent tests have revealed that the contamination may continue to affect people who live near.Researchers say it may be related to elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years after launching a state-wide health investigation and a study by researchers, they found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the area surrounding the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote is a common chemical used in the treatment of wood. It is also a harmful substance that can cause cancer when exposed to it.It is a heavy oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.It is employed in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, like fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings for marine use. It can also be used to guard log houses and other structures from insects and rot.According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote, according to the EPA, is potentially dangerous chemical. The exposure to creosote over short periods of time can cause irritation to the eyes and skin and chemical burns, stomach pains, burning in the mouth or throat, kidney or liver problems and even permanent damage.Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum cancers. This is a major concern for workers who have direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked to a number of different types of cancer including esophageal and lung cancer.Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for years due to an old rail yard located near their homes. They claim the chemical has affected their homes as well as their soil and continues to spread throughout the underground.The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the effort to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination on a regular basis and adopt preventative measures to stop the spread.A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused serious health issues from the former rail yard.They are seeking damages from the railroad in order to cover the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They claim they've been harmed by racism in the environment, discrimination, and other forms of pollution that have affected them and their families.DioxinDioxins are chemicals which don't break down in environment quickly , and can remain in the air, in the soil, or sediment for long periods. They can be found in a variety of sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste. Lung Cancer Lawsuit Settlements of dioxin are unclear at low levels, however there is evidence to suggest that they may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. People exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to be at a higher risk of heart disease, organ cancers as well as immune system issues and endocrine changes including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive issues, a weak immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes as well as hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts, known as chloracne.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most popular way people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble so they are more easily absorbable by the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.However, it is crucial to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that will have adverse effects on your health will depend on various factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you eat or drink and how much air you breathe. It is also important to consider your age, gender and diet, nutritional status and family characteristics along with other health factors that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.Furthermore, the kind of contaminant is another important factor. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging effect on the human body than others. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.For Railroad Cancer Settlements , PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They can also damage the immune system of a person and hinder the growth of healthy bones and teeth.Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancers that have been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is close to their homes. Friday's announcement by the city's health department said that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples near the rail yard. The release noted that the results weren't encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and also said that a plan that he submitted to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be adequate in light of the findings. Csx Lawsuit Settlements (PCBs)PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated biphenyls, are harmful chemicals that have been used for over 60 years in consumer and industrial products. These chemicals were banned in 1979 after being proven to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system and inhibit learning.PCBs can cause contamination of soil, water, and air in a variety of regions of the world once they are released into the environment. They are strong binding agents of organic matter, and are easily transported and accumulated into the environment.PCBs are a significant concern for protecting the environment as well as public health. The EPA considers them a potential human carcinogen and has proved 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 these chemicals in the womb.PCBs are mainly consumed through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.Another way to get exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is infected with PCBs. This could be due to leaks or spills that can occur in electrical and other equipment.People may 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 which can last from a few weeks to a few years.The effects of PCBs upon human health are still not completely comprehended. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and the biliary tract cancers among humans, but more studies are needed to discover the extent to which this impacts us.The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborn babies. Low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies found that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or older.LeadLead is a highly toxic metal that can be found in many products like paints, pipes, and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two major routes: oral and respiratory.It is a strong antioxidant that can react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It can accumulate within the body and could cause serious health issues such as cancer and other illnesses.In Houston the residents who live close to a creosote-based treatment facility owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to instruct the railroad to remove its contaminated facility.The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of polluting its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, including creosote. Residents say that the company has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is among the most dangerous effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples from the rail yard is higher than the levels recommended for drinking water.Another concern is the slow release of creosote in the air. It can cause residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors, which could cause death for children as well as adults.It is also possible that particles are causing cancers among those who breathe the vapors. To learn more about the impact of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents there is a door-to door survey being conducted 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 conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a form leukemia at five times higher rate than expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than in other areas of Texas.