Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn't done enough to clean up an underground plume contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have shown that contamination could still be an issue for residents living nearby.Researchers believe it is due to the large number of cancers that are found in the area. Two years into a state-wide health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote, a common chemical, is used to treat wood. It can also cause cancer in those who are exposed to it.It is a thick oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a bitter taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been used for over 150 years as a wood preservative.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 employed to protect log homes and other structures from insect infestation.According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is a potentially dangerous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause skin and eye irritation as well as chemical burns stomach discomfort and burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver problems.Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum cancers. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked to a variety kinds of cancers including esophageal as well as lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, thanks to a former railroad yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes as well as their soil and continues to spread underground.Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test regularly for contamination and to take measures 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 has contaminated their soil, causing significant health problems as a result of the former rail yard.They are seeking compensation from the railroad to help cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim they are harmed by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other kinds of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends.DioxinDioxins are substances that aren't able to break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, in the soil, or sediment for a long period. They are found in a variety of locations such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration and hazardous waste.Although the effects of dioxin on health at low levels are not well-studied yet, there is evidence suggesting that they can cause serious illnesses such as cancer. People exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to be at greater risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system disorders and endocrine imbalances including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause problems with hormones, immune suppression and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most popular way people are exposed to dioxin is through food or drinking water. They aren't water-soluble or volatile, therefore they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of dairy products, fish and other seafood.It is important to remember that exposure to chemicals can have a detrimental effect on your health based on a variety of factors like how much you drink, eat and how often you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family characteristics to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.In addition, the type of contaminant is an important factor. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to cause harm impact on human health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, or 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 damage the immune system of a person and interfere with the development of healthy teeth and bones.For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a string of cancer deaths that have been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their neighborhoods. Railroad Cancer Lawyer made by the city's health department said that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The release said that the findings were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan proposed by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.Polychlorinated BiphenylsPCBs, also known as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. These chemicals were banned in 1979, after they were found to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and interfere with learning.PCBs can cause contamination of soil or water as well as air in many regions of the world after they are released into the environment. They bind tightly to organic matter and tend to remain in the environment for a long time that means they are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.PCBs are a significant concern for the protection of the environment and public health. Railroad Cancer are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in laboratory animals.In addition, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially true for children exposed to PCBs in the womb.The most common route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Fish is the main source of exposure, as they are the largest source of PCBs. However, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.Drinking and showering with PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This can be caused by leaks or spills that occur in electrical equipment and other.Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or through skin. These chemicals can cause an illness known as Chloracne. This is a tiny, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last from weeks or even years.However, Railroad Cancer Lawsuit of PCBs on human health are not yet completely recognized. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, but further research is needed to find out how this impacts us.The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborn babies. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular diseases. 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 toxic metal that is found in many items, such as paints, pipes and food containers. It is absorbed into the body through two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.It is a powerful chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other chemicals present in your environment. It is able to accumulate within the body and could cause serious health issues like cancer and other ailments.In Houston the residents who live close to a creosote-based treatment facility owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government's assistance in the cleanup of the railroad's contamination site.The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, such as creosote. Residents claim that the company has been trying to remove the contamination but the proposal submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is one of the most serious effects of the contamination. A recent study conducted by health officials has revealed that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain an increased amount of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.Another major concern is that creosote is slowly disappearing into the air. It is causing residents to inhale harmful levels of vapors which could cause death for children as well as adults.It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in those who breathe them. To learn more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of residents, a door-to-door survey is being conducted in the neighborhood.This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very sad situation that must be dealt with immediately.A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher for children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens areas than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.