Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?For decades, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to clean up the creosote sludge that is buried at its contaminated rail yard. And now, the most recent tests show the contamination could continue to affect those who live nearby.Researchers suggest it could be due to higher cancer rates in the region. Two years into a state-wide health investigation, they found higher-than-expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote which is a common chemical used in the treatment of wood is also a very common one. It is also a poisonous substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it.It is a thick oily substance, amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts is a distillation of coal product that 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 is also used to safeguard log homes and other structures from insect infestation.According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be potentially dangerous chemical. Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements to creosote over short periods can cause irritation to the eyes and skin and chemical burns stomach pains, burning of mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.It is considered a probable human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked to a range of cancers of various types, including esophageal and lung cancer.Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time, thanks to an old rail yard located near their homes. The chemical is said to have affected their homes as well as their soil and continues to spread underground.The city of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test regularly for contamination and to take measures to prevent it from spreading.A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil and caused serious health problems as a result of the former rail yard.They are seeking damages from the railroad to pay the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They claim they've been affected by environmental racism, discrimination, and other types of pollution that has affected them and their families. Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements are chemicals that do not break down quickly in the environment, and they can stay in the air, water, or sediment for a long duration. They are found in a variety places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels aren't yet known however, there is evidence to suggest that they could cause serious illnesses like cancer. Patients who are exposed at higher levels have been found to be at a higher risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system problems and endocrine disorders, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes as well as hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts, known as chloracne.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method that people are exposed dioxin is through food or drinking water. They are not volatile or water-soluble, therefore they are more easily absorbable by the body via the intake of dairy products, meat such as fish, as well as other seafood.It is crucial to keep in mind, however, that exposure can cause harm to your health depending on many factors , including how much you eat, drink, and how often you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender, age, nutrition, and family characteristics to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.Additionally, the type of contaminant can be an important factor. According to the EPA certain toxins are more harmful than others to the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, are more likely than creosote have a negative effect on your health.For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They also can harm the immune system and cause issues in the development of healthy teeth, bones and bones.Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancers that have been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right close to their homes. The city's health department reported on Friday that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The release stated that the findings were not encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's going to sue Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators wouldn't be adequate given the findings.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)PCBs, also referred to as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. After being proven to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system PCBs were banned in 1979.Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water throughout the world. They are strong binding agents of organic matter, and are easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.In the end, PCBs are a major threat for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA, and have been found to cause cancer in lab animals.Some studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who are exposed to these chemicals while pregnant.The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.Another way to be exposed PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is affected by PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spills from electrical or other equipment.People may also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as chloracne which is a mild, small yellow skin lesions which can be present for a period of weeks or years.The effects of PCBs upon human health are not fully known. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However further research is required to better understand how this affects us.The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborn babies. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies have shown that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or an earlier age.LeadLead is a highly toxic metal that is found in many products including paints, pipes and food containers. It can be absorbed by the body through two major routes: oral and respiratory.It is a potent chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other substances in your environment. This can lead to its accumulation within the body. This can cause serious health issues like cancer, among other diseases.In Houston residents living close to a creosote-based treatment plant run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked for the federal government's help in the cleanup of the railroad's toxic site.Union Pacific Railroad has a history of having been a source of contamination for its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. The company has been working to clean up the mess, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents claim.One of the most significant problems that resulted from the contamination was the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the region. A recent study by the health department has shown that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples around the rail yard is higher than the recommended levels for drinking water.Another cause for concern is the slow escape of creosote into the atmosphere. It is causing residents to breathe harmful levels of vapors which could cause death for children as well as adults.It is also possible that the gases are causing cancers in the people who breathe them in. A door-to-door health survey is being conducted in the area to understand how the vapors impact the lives of the residents.This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.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 frequent in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.