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 that is contaminated rail yard. And now, the most recent tests show that the contamination could still be affecting those who live nearby.Researchers suggest it could be related to elevated cancer rates in the area. Two years after launching a state-wide health investigation the researchers discovered that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote which is a common chemical used for the treatment of wood, is also a common one. It is also a poisonous substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.It is a thick oily substance that's black or amber-colored and has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years as a wood preserver.In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other types of wood including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It can also be used for protecting log structures and homes from decay and insect infestation.According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is potentially dangerous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause irritation to the skin and eyes as well as chemical burns, stomach pain burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues.Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come into 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 to a variety of different types of cancer including esophageal and lung cancer.Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades due to an old rail yard located near their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated, and continues to spread underground.Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They want 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 was a source of contamination in their soil, causing significant health problems from the former rail yard.They are seeking compensation from the railroad to pay the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They claim that they have been suffering from environmental racism and discrimination and other forms of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends.DioxinDioxins are a class of chemicals that don't break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, the soil of the water, or sediment for a long period. They are found in a variety of locations such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration as well as hazardous waste.The health effects of dioxin aren't clear at low levels, however there is evidence that dioxin can cause cancer and other serious illnesses. The people who are exposed to higher levels have been found to be at greater risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune system problems, and endocrine changes such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes, weight loss, hair growth 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 food or drinking water. They are not volatile or water-soluble so they are more easily taken in by the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products fish, and other seafood.But it is important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that will have detrimental effects on your health depends on several factors, such as the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you consume alcohol or food, and how much you breathe. It is also essential to consider your gender, age and diet, nutritional status and family traits in addition to other health factors that could determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.The type of contaminant crucial. The EPA states that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging impact on human health than others. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.PCBs can cause damage to eyes, liver, kidneys, and kidneys. They can also affect a person's immune system and affect the development of healthy teeth and bones.For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a series of cancer deaths that have been related to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their neighborhoods. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department revealed that they found cancer-causing chemicals on samples of the surface near the rail yard. The release stated that the results were "not encouraging." Railroad Cancer Lawsuit told FOX 26 that he plans to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient in light of the findings.Polychlorinated BiphenylsPolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. PCBs were banned in 1979, after being proven to cause cancer, suppress the immune system and inhibit learning.When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil in a variety of areas around the world. They are extremely binders to organic matter and are often persistent that means they are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.Therefore, PCBs are a major issue for the protection of public health and the environment. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been found to cause cancer in laboratory animals.Additionally, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals in the womb.The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food items. Fish is the main source of exposure because they contain the highest amount of PCBs. However, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.Another way to get exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that has been contaminated with PCBs. This can happen from leaks or spills which could occur in electrical and other equipment.People are also exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or through skin contact. These chemicals can cause a condition called chloracne, which is a tiny, pale, yellow skin lesions that can last from a few weeks to a few years.The effects of PCBs upon the health of humans aren't fully understood. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to understand how this affects us.EPA is also studying whether these chemicals may cause birth defects for newborns, including lower birth weight. A low birth weight is associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or older.LeadLead is a toxic metal that is found in a wide range of products, including pipes, paints and food cans. The body absorbs it via two routes: respiratory and oral.It is a strong chemical that can oxidize and react with other chemicals in your environment. This can lead to its accumulation in the body and can lead to serious health problems like cancer and other diseases. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote legacy plant are at risk of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to direct the railroad to clean up its contaminated site.The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of polluting its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, such as creosote. The company has tried to clean up the mess, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough, residents say. Railroad Cancer below the homes in the affected area is among the most grave effects of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has revealed that soil samples from the rail yard have a higher concentration of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.Another cause for concern is the slow evaporation of creosote from the atmosphere. As it does, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors which are harmful for children as well as adults.It is also possible that the gases are causing cancers in the residents who are breathing the vapors in. A door-to-door health survey is currently being carried out in the neighborhood to understand the effects of the vapors on the lives of the residents.This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very tragic situation that needs to 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 type leukemia at a five-fold higher rate than expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.