Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn't done enough to clean up an underground plume contaminated rail yard. And now, the most recent tests suggest that the contamination could still be affecting those who live near.Researchers say it may be due to higher cancer rates in the area. Two years after launching an investigation across the state on health, researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote is a common chemical used in the treatment of wood. It is also a harmful substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it. Railroad Cancer Lawyer is a dense oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product and has been in use for more than 150 years as a wood preservative.It is used in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods, including fence posts and utility poles, as well as marine pilings. It is also employed to protect log homes and other structures from rot and infestation.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote can be a risky chemical. When exposed to creosote, even for short periods can cause skin and eye irritation, chemical burns stomach discomfort, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues, and even permanent damage.Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum cancers. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.According to the EPA, it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety of cancers of various types including esophageal and lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, due to a railroad yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil, and continues to spread underground. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test frequently for contamination and take measures to prevent it from spreading.A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused significant health issues as a result of the former rail yard.They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering as well as compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other costs. They claim they've been affected by environmental racism, discrimination, and other kinds of pollution that have affected them and their families.DioxinDioxins are a class of chemicals that don't break down in environment quickly and can remain in the air, soil or sediment for a lengthy period. They can come from diverse sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.The effects of dioxin on health are not 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 with an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers immune disorders, and endocrine issues, like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal problems, suppressed immunity and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.According to Railroad Cancer . Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most prevalent way people are exposed to the toxins is through food and water. They are not volatile or water-soluble, so they are easily taken in by the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products fish, and other seafood.It is crucial to keep in mind, however, that exposure to chemicals can have a detrimental effect on your health, depending on many factors such as how much you drink, eat, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also crucial to consider your age, gender, diet, nutritional status and family characteristics, as well as other health factors that may influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.In addition, the form of contaminant is another important factor. According to the EPA certain toxins are more harmful than others for human health. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to negatively impact your health.PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system and cause problems with the growth of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a series of cancer-related deaths that has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their homes. The announcement made by the city's health department stated that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. The announcement said the results were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan presented to Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient in light of the findings.Polychlorinated BiphenylsPCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are harmful chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. After they were proven to cause cancer and inhibit the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.PCBs can contaminate 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 which means they are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.This is why PCBs are a major threat for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during the pregnancy.The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Fish are the primary source of exposure since they contain the most PCBs. But, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.Drinking and showering with PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This can result from leaks or spills which could occur in electrical and other equipment.Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or through their skin. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as Chloracne. This is a mild, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that may last for weeks or even years.The effects of PCBs upon the health of humans aren't fully comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they may 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 with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease 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 toxic metal that is found in a variety of items including paints, pipes and food cans. It is absorbed by the body via two main routes: respiratory and oral.It is a potent oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals in the environment. This could cause it to build up within the body. This can cause serious health issues such as cancer and other illnesses.Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant are at risk of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's assistance in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated 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 to humans, such as creosote. The railroad has been trying to get rid of the contamination, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents claim.The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is among the most dangerous effects of the contamination. A recent study by the health department has shown that the concentration of creosote in soil samples from the rail yard is greater than the recommended levels for drinking water.Another reason to be concerned is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. It is causing residents to inhale dangerous levels of vapors, which could be fatal for both children and adults.It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in people who breathe them. To find out more about the effect of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being done in the neighborhood.This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very tragic situation that needs to be addressed immediately.A Department of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates were five times higher in children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.