Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years 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 continue to affect those who live near.Researchers say it may be linked to the increased cancer rates in the area. Two years into a state health investigation they discovered higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers within the communities around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote is a popular chemical used in the treatment of wood, is also a common one. It is also a cause of cancer in people who are exposed to it.It is a dense oily substance that's black or amber-colored and has a smoky smell 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.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 to guard log structures and homes from the effects of rot and insect invasion.According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is potentially dangerous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause irritation to the skin and eyes chemical burns stomach discomfort and burning in the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems.Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum tumors. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.According to the EPA the EPA, it is a possible human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with several cancers, including esophageal as well lung cancer.Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades due to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. They claim the chemical has affected their homes as well as their soil, and it continues to spread underground.The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the effort to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to stop it from spreading.In October of 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused significant health problems from the former rail yard.They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering, as well as damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleaning and other costs. They claim they have been affected by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that have affected their families and themselves. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit are substances that don't break down in environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, soil or in sediment for a long period. They can be found in many places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration as well as hazardous waste. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit of dioxin are not known at low levels, however there is evidence that dioxin can cause cancer and other serious illnesses. Dioxin levels that are higher are linked to a higher risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune disorders, and endocrine problems, like hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal problems, suppressed immunity womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way that people are exposed dioxin is through drinking or eating. They are not volatile and water-soluble so they are more easily absorbable by the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products fish, and other seafood.It is nevertheless important to remember that the amount of exposure that can have negative effects on your health is dependent on numerous factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you drink or eat and how much you breathe. It is also crucial to take into consideration your gender, age, diet, nutritional status and family traits along with other factors in your health that could determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.In addition, the type of contaminant is also an important aspect. The EPA states that certain toxic substances are more likely to have a negative effect on the human body than others. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They can also affect the immune system of the person and interfere with the development of healthy teeth and bones.Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated next to their homes. The city's health department announced Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The release noted that the findings 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 Biphenyls (PCBs)Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products for more than 60 years. After they were proven to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water throughout the world. They bind strongly 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 issue for the protection of public health and the environment. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been proven to cause cancer in laboratory animals.Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.PCBs are most commonly ingested through food items. Fish is the most common source of exposure because they contain the highest amount of PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef, and other agricultural products.Showering and drinking water is another method of exposure. This could be due to leaks or spills in electrical and other equipment.Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs by breathing in 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 weeks to years.The effects of PCBs on the health of humans aren't completely understood. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However there is more research needed to understand how this affects us.EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, such as less weight at birth. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in life. Two studies have shown that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or later in life.Lead Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit is a toxic metal that is found in a variety of items including paints, pipes, and food cans. It can be absorbed by the body via two main routes: respiratory and oral.It is a strong chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other chemicals present in your environment. This can lead to it accumulating within the body. This can lead to serious health problems like cancer, among other ailments.In Houston the residents who live near a creosote treatment plant owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked for the assistance of the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contamination site.Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has affected its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents have claimed that the company has been working to eliminate the contamination, but the proposal submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.One of the major problems that resulted from the contamination was the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the region. A recent study conducted by the health department has shown that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples around the rail yard is greater than the recommended level for drinking water.Another reason to be concerned is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. It can cause residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors, which can cause fatalities for both children and adults.It is also possible that fumes are causing cancers to the people who breathe the vapors in. To find out more about the impact of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being conducted in the neighborhood.This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a terribly sad situation that needs to be addressed immediately.A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher for children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than in other areas of Texas.