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 the creosote sludge that is buried at its contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that the contamination could be an issue for residents living nearby.Researchers suggest it could be related to elevated cancer rates in the region. Two years into a health inspection by the state and they found higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote which is a common chemical used for the treatment of wood is also a typical one. Cancer Lawsuits can cause cancer in those who are exposed to it.It is a thick oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been in use for over 150 years as a wood preservative.In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other kinds of wood, including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It can also be employed to protect log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declares creosote is a dangerous chemical. Short-term exposure can cause irritation of the skin and eyes and chemical burns, stomach pain burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues.Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum tumors. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.It is considered a probable human carcinogen according to the EPA. It has been linked with a variety of cancers that include esophageal aswell as lung cancer.Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years, thanks to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes and is spreading underground.The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test regularly for contamination and to take measures to stop the spread of the disease.A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes , causing significant health problems.They are seeking compensation from the railroad to help cover the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They claim to have been harmed by racism in the environment and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that affected their families and themselves.DioxinDioxins are substances that do not degrade quickly in the environment, and they can stay in the air, water, or sediment for a long period of. They can be derived from a variety of 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 suggests they may cause cancer as well as other serious diseases. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked with an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers immune issues, and endocrine problems, including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a weakened 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 (USEPA) the most popular way people are exposed is through food and water. They aren't liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish and other seafood.It is nevertheless important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that will have adverse effects on your health depends on many factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you eat or drink and how much air you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender and age, nutritional status, and family characteristics to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.In addition, the type of contaminant can be an important factor. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to cause harm impact on health than others. Railroad Workers , also known as PCBs, are more likely than creosote to negatively impact your health.PCBs can cause damage to eyes, liver, kidneys, and kidneys. They can also harm the immune system of a person and hinder the growth of healthy teeth and bones.Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancer deaths linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. Cancer Lawsuits is located next to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department revealed that they discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. The release said that the results were "not encouraging." FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not suffice.Polychlorinated BiphenylsPolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in industrial and household products for over 60 years. They were banned in 1979 after being proven to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and impair learning.PCBs can infect soil, water, and air in many areas around the globe after they are released into the environment. They bind strongly to organic matter, and are often persistent and therefore, are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.PCBs are a major problem for protecting the environment and public health. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in lab animals.Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef and other agricultural products.Another way to be exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is contaminated with PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spillages in electrical equipment and other.Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or by touching the skin. These chemicals can trigger a condition called chloracne, which is a small, pale skin lesions that can last from a few weeks to a few years.However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely recognized. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver and biliary tract cancers in humans, however more studies are needed to understand how this impacts us.The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborn babies. Low birth weight has been associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. In two studies, children who were 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 can be present in a variety of products, such as paints, pipes and food cans. The body absorbs it via two routes: respiratory and oral.It is an extremely chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals in your surroundings. This can lead to it accumulating within the body. Cancer Lawsuit can cause serious health issues like cancer and other ailments.Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's assistance in cleaning up the railroad's 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, including creosote. Residents have claimed that the company has been working to get rid of the pollution, but the proposal submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.One of the major problems that stemmed from the contamination is the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the region. A recent study by the department of health shows that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples from the rail yard is more than the recommended levels for drinking water.Another issue is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. It can cause residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which could cause death for children and adults.It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer among those who inhale them. To find out more about the impact of the vapors on lives of residents there is a door-to door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a tragic situation that must be addressed as soon as possible.A Department of State Health Services study found that the rate of leukemia was five times higher among children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more frequent in the neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.