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 clean up creosote in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. The latest tests have shown that contamination could still be impacting residents living near.Researchers believe that it could be due to the large number of cancers in the area. Two years after the launch of an investigation into health issues across the state the researchers discovered that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote, a common chemical that is used to treat wood, is also a common one. It can also cause cancer in people who are exposed to it.It is a thick oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.It is employed in the United States to treat railroad tiesand other types of woods, including fence posts and utility poles, and pilings from marine construction. It is also used to guard log houses and other structures from insects and rot.According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be a chemical that could be dangerous. Short-term exposure can cause irritation to the skin and eyes and chemical burns, stomach discomfort burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver problems.Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum tumors. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.According to the EPA, it is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to various cancers that include esophageal aswell as lung cancer.Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time due to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil and continues to spread underground.Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination regularly and implement preventative measures to prevent the spread.A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil and caused serious health issues as a result of the former rail yard.They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering as well as damages from railroads for the cost of cleanup and other associated costs. They claim they've been affected by environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that have affected them and their families.DioxinDioxins are chemicals which don't break down in the environment quickly and can remain in the air, in the soil or sediment for a long time. They can come from diverse sources, such as natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoke from cigarettes and incineration of hazardous waste.Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels aren't identified but there is evidence that they could cause serious illnesses , such as cancer. Cancer Lawsuit exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to be at risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system problems and endocrine disorders like hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive issues, a weak immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes as well as hair growth, weight loss and facial cysts known as chloracne.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most popular way that people are exposed dioxin is through drinking or eating. They are not volatile and water-soluble, so they are easily taken in by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat, fish, and other seafood.It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure to dioxins could have a detrimental effect on your health, based on numerous factors like how much you drink, eat and how often you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, your diet, and family traits to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.In addition, the form of contaminant is another important factor. The EPA states that certain toxic substances are more likely to cause harm impact on human health than others. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to have a negative effect on your health.PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system of a person, and interfere with the growth of healthy bones and teeth.For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a cluster of cancer deaths that have been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department stated that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the rail yard. The announcement said 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 proposed plan by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. After being found to cause cancer and weaken the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.PCBs can cause contamination of soil or water as well as air in many regions of the globe once they are released into the environment. They are powerful binders of organic matter, and are transported easily and accumulated in the environment.PCBs are a major issue for the protection of the environment and public health. The EPA considers them a probable human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.Additionally, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.The most common route for exposure to PCBs is through food items. Fish are the primary source of exposure, as they contain the most PCBs. 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 affected by PCBs. This could be caused by leaks or spills in electrical and other equipment.People may also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in air or through skin contact. These chemicals can trigger a condition called chloracne, which is a small, pale skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.The effects of PCBs upon the human body are not completely comprehended. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, but more studies are needed to understand how this affects us.The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. 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 poisonous metal and is found in a wide range of products, including paints, pipes, and food cans. The body absorbs it through two routes: oral and respiratory.It is a powerful antioxidant that can react with other chemicals in the environment. This could cause it to build up in the body , and could cause serious health issues like cancer and other ailments.In Houston, people who live near a legacy creosote treatment plant run by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to order the railroad to clean up its toxic site.Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The company has been trying to eliminate the mess, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient residents say.The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is among the most severe consequences of the contamination. A recent study conducted by the health department has revealed that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples near the rail yard is greater than the levels recommended for drinking water.Another issue is that creosote is slowly disappearing into the air. It can cause residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors, which can cause fatalities for children and adults.It is also possible that the fumes are causing cancers to those who breathe the vapors. A door-to-door health assessment is being conducted in the neighborhood to understand the effects of the vapors on the lives of the residents.This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It is a sad situation and should be addressed immediately.A recent study by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a form leukemia at a five-fold greater rate than what was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.