Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?For decades, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to remove creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its contaminated rail yard. And now, the most recent tests show that the contamination could still be affecting those who live nearby.Researchers believe it could be related to the elevated cancer rates in the region. Two years after the launch of an investigation across the state on health, researchers found that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote, a common chemical used in the treatment of wood is also a typical one. It is also a cause of cancer in people who are exposed to it.It is a dense oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a bitter taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been in use for more than 150 years as a wood preservative.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 to guard log structures and homes from rot and insect infestation.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states creosote is a dangerous chemical. Short-term exposure can cause skin and eye irritation as well as chemical burns, stomach pain and burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems.Exposure for long periods can lead to skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.According to the EPA it is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety kinds of cancers, including esophageal and lung cancer.Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time due to a former rail yard near their homes. They say the chemical has affected their homes and soil, and it continues to spread throughout the underground.Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test regularly for contamination , and take measures to prevent it from spreading.In October 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil and caused significant health issues as a result of the former rail yard.They are seeking compensation from the railroad to cover the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They claim they've suffered the effects of environmental racism discrimination, sexism, and other types of pollution that has affected them and their families.DioxinDioxins are chemical compounds that don't break down quickly in the environment and they can remain in the air, water, or in sediment for a long time. They can be found in many sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.The effects of dioxin on health are unclear at low levels, however there is evidence that they may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked with an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune disorders, and endocrine problems, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to problems with hormones, immune suppression and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most frequent way that people are exposed is through food and water. They aren't volatile or water-soluble, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish or other seafood.It is vital to remember that exposure to dioxins could cause harm to your health, depending on many aspects, such as the amount you drink, eat, and the frequency with which you breathe. You should also take into consideration your gender, age, nutrition, and family characteristics to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.The type of contaminant is crucial. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more dangerous than others to human health. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs, are more likely than creosote affect your health.For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They can also damage the immune system of the person and affect the development of healthy teeth and bones.For years, residents in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a cluster of cancer deaths that has been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their communities. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department stated that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the surface near the rail yard. The release noted that the findings were not encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not suffice.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. After being shown to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.PCBs can cause contamination of soil or water as well as air in many areas around the globe after they are released into the environment. They are strong binders for organic matter that can be easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.In the end, PCBs are a major concern for the protection of public health and the environment. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals while pregnant.PCBs are most commonly ingested through food items. Fish are the primary source of exposure, as they are the largest source of PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.Another method of being exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is contaminated with PCBs. This can result from leaks or spills which could be caused by electrical or other equipment.In the same way, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or through the skin. These chemicals can trigger a condition called chloracne, which is small, pale yellow skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.The effects of PCBs on human health are not fully recognized. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However, more research is needed to determine how this impacts us.EPA is also studying whether these chemicals could cause birth defects for newborns, including low birth weight. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular diseases. In two studies, children who were 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 and is found in a variety of products, including paints, pipes, and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two major routes: respiratory and oral.It is a powerful antioxidant that can react with other chemicals in the environment. It is able to accumulate within the body and can lead to serious health problems like cancer and other ailments.In Houston residents living near a legacy creosote treatment plant run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to instruct the railroad to clean its contaminated site.The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contamination of its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic for humans, such as creosote. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit have claimed that the company has been working to clean up contamination but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.One of the biggest issues that resulted from the contamination is the groundwater plume beneath homes in the region. A recent study by the health department has shown that the concentration of creosote in soil samples around the rail yard is greater than the recommended level for drinking water.Another cause for concern is the slow evaporation of creosote in the air. It causes residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which could be fatal for children and adults.It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in people who breathe them. A door-to door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to learn more about how the vapors impact the lives of residents.This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation that must be addressed immediately.A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a type of leukemia that was five times more frequently than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.