Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for years that the company hasn't taken the necessary steps to clean up an underground plume that is contaminated rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that the contamination may be affecting residents living nearby.Researchers say it may be related to elevated 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, a chemical commonly used for the treatment of wood is also a very common one. It is also a toxic substance and can cause cancers when 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 that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other types of wood, including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It can also be used for protecting log houses and other structures from rot and insect infestation.According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is a potentially dangerous chemical. Exposure to creosote for short periods of time can cause skin and eye irritation as well as chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of the throat or mouth and liver or kidney problems and even permanent damage.Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum carcinomas. This is a significant concern for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.It is believed to be a human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked to various cancers which include esophageal, as well lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, due to a former railroad yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil and continues to spread underground.The city 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 take steps 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 had contaminated their soil and caused major health problems as a result of the former rail yard.They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering and also compensation from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They claim they are victimized by environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other forms of pollution that have impacted them and their families.DioxinDioxins are substances that do not degrade quickly in the environment and can remain in the air, water, or sediment for an extended period of. They can be found in a variety of sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and incineration of hazardous waste.The health effects of dioxin are not clear at low levels, but there is evidence that dioxin may cause cancer as well as other serious diseases. Patients who are exposed at higher levels of dioxin have been found to be at risk of organ cancers, heart disease, immune system disorders and endocrine changes, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes as well as hair growth, weight loss and facial cysts called 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 aren't liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products or fish and other seafood.It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure can have a detrimental effect on your health depending on many factors like how much you drink, eat, and how often you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender and age, as well as your nutrition and family characteristics to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins. Railroad Cancer Lawyer of contaminant is equally important. According to the EPA certain toxins are more dangerous than others for human health. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote to have a negative effect on your health.PCBs can cause damage to eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also damage the immune system and cause problems with the development of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster cancer deaths linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is close to their homes. The city's health department announced Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The release said 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 won't be sufficient.Polychlorinated BiphenylsPCBs, also known as polychlorinated Biphenyls, are noxious chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. These chemicals were banned in 1979, after being found to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and hinder learning.PCBs can cause contamination of soil as well as water and air in many parts of the globe once they are released into the environment. They are powerful binders of organic matter and can be easily transported and accumulated into the environment.PCBs are a major issue for protecting the environment and public health. The EPA considers them a potential human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.Furthermore, Cancer Lawsuit Settlements have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially relevant for children who are exposed to these chemicals during the womb.The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs, fish is the main source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.Drinking and showering with Railroad Cancer -contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This could be caused by leaks or spills that occur in electrical equipment and other.People may also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or by skin contact. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as chloracne which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.The effects of PCBs upon human health are not fully recognized. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and the biliary tract cancers among humans, however more research is needed to find out how this affects us.The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. Low birth weight has been associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases later in life. In two studies, children 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 found in many products like paints, pipes and food cans. The body absorbs it through two major routes: oral and respiratory.It is a potent oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals in your environment. It is able to accumulate within the body and can lead to serious health issues such as cancer and other diseases.In Houston, people who live near a creosote legacy treatment plant owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested assistance from the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contamination 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. Residents claim that the railroad has been working to get rid of the pollution, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.One of the most important problems that resulted from the contamination was the groundwater plume under the homes in the region. A recent study by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard contain a higher concentration of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.Another cause for concern is the gradual release of creosote in the air. It is causing residents to inhale dangerous levels of vapors, which can be fatal for children as well as adults.It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in people who inhale them. A door-to door health survey is being conducted in the area to understand how the vapors affect the residents' lives.This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very tragic situation that must be addressed immediately.A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia incidences were five times higher in children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than in other areas of Texas.