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 the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. The latest tests have revealed that the contamination may still be affecting people who live nearby. Railroad Workers believe it could be due to the high rate of cancers in the area. Two years after the launch of a state-wide health investigation, researchers found that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic 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 very common one. It can also cause cancer in people who are exposed to it.It is a heavy oily substance that's black or amber-colored and has a smokey odor and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad ties, and other types woods, such as fence posts and utility poles, as well as pilings for marine use. It is also used for protecting log structures and homes against decay and insect infestation.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote may be a risky chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause irritation to the skin and eyes as well as chemical burns stomach pain and burning in the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems.Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum cancers. This is a significant concern for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.According to the EPA, it is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to various cancers, including esophageal as well lung cancer.Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years due to an old rail yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes, and continues to spread underground.Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests frequently for contamination and take steps to prevent the spread of the disease.In October of 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote has contaminated their soil and caused major health issues from the former rail yard.They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering and also damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They claim that they have been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination and other forms of pollution that has adversely affected their families and friends.DioxinDioxins are a class of chemicals that don't break down quickly in the environment and they can be found in the air, water, or in sediment for a long period of. They can be found in many sources, including natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.Although the effects of dioxin on health in low concentrations aren't well-studied but there is evidence that they can cause serious illnesses , such as cancer. Patients who are exposed at higher levels of dioxin have been found to have an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system problems and endocrine issues like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause problems with hormones, immune suppression womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.According to Railroad Workers . Environmental Protection Agency the most frequent way that people are exposed dioxin is through drinking or eating. Cancer Lawsuits are not volatile or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.It is vital to remember, however, that exposure to chemicals can affect your health depending on many aspects, such as the amount you consume, drink, and the frequency you breathe. It is also crucial to consider your age, gender as well as your diet, nutritional status and family characteristics, as well as other health factors that can affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.The kind of contaminant used is also important. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to cause harm effect on human health than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to affect your health.For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also harm the immune system of a person, and affect the development of healthy bones and teeth.Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancer deaths that are that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located next to their homes. The announcement made by the city's health department claimed that it discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples near the rail yard. The release noted 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 plan submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't suffice.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are harmful chemicals that have been used in industrial and household products for more than 60 years. After being found to cause cancer and weaken the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in many areas of the world. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and tend to remain in the environment for a long time and therefore, are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.PCBs are a major issue for the protection of the environment and public health. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals while in the womb.PCBs are mainly consumed through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. However, Railroad Workers can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This could be due to leaks or spills in electrical and other equipment.In the same way, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or through skin. These chemicals can cause the condition known as Chloracne. This is a tiny pale, yellow-colored lesions that last for months or even years.However, the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet fully comprehended. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers among humans, but more studies are needed to determine the extent to which this impacts us.The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. A low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies have shown that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or older.LeadLead is a poisonous metal that is found in a variety of products, including pipes, paints and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two major pathways: the respiratory and oral.It is a powerful antioxidant and can react with other chemicals present in the environment. This can cause it to accumulate in the body and can cause serious health issues like cancer, among other diseases.Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility are at a high risk of cancer. The city has asked for the assistance of the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's toxic 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, including creosote. Residents have claimed that the company has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but the proposal submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.One of the major problems that arose due to the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the region. Cancer Lawsuits conducted by health officials has shown that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain an increased amount of creosote than that recommended for drinking water.Another concern is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. It is causing residents to inhale toxic levels of vapors, which could cause death for children as well as adults.It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer for those who inhale them. To find out more about the effects of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being done in the neighborhood.This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. It's a pity and it should be resolved immediately.A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher among children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in these areas than in other areas of Texas.