Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn’t taken the necessary steps to clean the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. And now, the latest tests have revealed that the contamination may continue to affect those who live near.Researchers suggest it could be linked to the increased cancer rates in the region. Two years into a state-wide health investigation the researchers found higher than anticipated levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia as well as adult kidney and renal pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote, a common chemical, is used to treat wood. It can cause cancer in those who are exposed to it.It is a dense oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product and has been used for over 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.It is employed in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods like fence posts, utility poles, as well as marine pilings. It can also be used for protecting log homes and other structures against the effects of rot and insect invasion.According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is a potentially dangerous chemical. The exposure to creosote over brief periods may cause skin and eye irritation and chemical burns stomach discomfort, burning of the throat or mouth, kidney or liver problems, and even permanent damage.Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum tumors. This is a major concern for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.According to the EPA it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a range of cancers of various types including esophageal and lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote due to a railroad yard near their homes. The chemical is said to have affected their homes as well as their soil, and it continues to spread underground. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to prevent the spread.A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused major health issues from the former rail yard.They are seeking damages from the railroad in order to cover the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They claim they have suffered the effects of environmental racism discrimination, sexism, and other forms of pollution that affected their families and themselves.DioxinDioxins are a class of chemicals which do not break down quickly in the environment, and they can remain in the soil, air, water or in sediment for a long time. They can come from many sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.The health effects of dioxin are not known at low levels, but there is evidence that they may cause cancer as well as other serious diseases. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers, immune problems, and endocrine issues, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes and hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts, known as chloracne.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most prevalent way people are exposed to the toxins is through food and water. They are not volatile and water-soluble, so they are easily to be absorbed by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products as well as fish and other seafood.It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure to dioxins could have a detrimental effect on your health depending on many factors , including how much you consume, drink, and the frequency you breathe. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is also important to take into consideration your gender, age and diet, nutritional status and family traits, as well as other factors in your health that could influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.The kind of contaminant used is equally important. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a negative effect on human health than others. For instance, polychlorinated benzene (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.PCBs can cause damage to eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also damage the immune system and cause problems in the development of healthy bones, teeth and bones.For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a series of cancer-related deaths which has been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their homes. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department said that it found cancer-causing chemicals on surfaces near the rail yard. The announcement said 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 proposed plan 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. These substances were banned in 1979 after being proven to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and interfere with learning.After being released into the atmosphere, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil throughout the world. They bind tightly to organic matter and are often persistent, meaning they are relatively simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.PCBs are a major concern for the protection of the environment and public health. They are deemed to be a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in lab animals.In addition, some studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly true for children exposed to PCBs in the womb.The primary route for exposure to PCBs is through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products, and other agricultural products.Showering and drinking PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This can happen 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 an illness known as chloracne which is a mild, small yellow skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years.The effects of PCBs upon human health are still not completely comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However it is necessary to conduct more research to discover how this impacts us.EPA has also been examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns, like low birth weight. Low birth weight has been linked to 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 poisonous metal and is found in a variety of products, including paints, pipes and food cans. Railroad Cancer is absorbed by the body through two major routes: respiratory and oral.It is an extremely antioxidant and can react with other chemicals present in the environment. This can lead to its accumulation within the body. This can lead to serious health problems like cancer, among other ailments.In Houston, people who live close to a creosote-based treatment facility owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to order the railroad to clean the site that is contaminated.The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, like creosote. The company has been working to get rid of the mess, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not sufficient, residents say.One of the major problems that stemmed due to the contamination is the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the region. A recent study conducted by health officials has revealed that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain an increased amount of creosote than the recommended amount for drinking water.Another issue is that the creosote vapor is slowly escaping into the air. It is causing residents to inhale toxic levels of vapors which can be fatal for children and adults.It is possible that the vapors cause cancer for those who breathe them. A door-to door health survey is being carried out in the neighborhood to learn more about the effects of the vapors on the lives of the residents.This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very tragic situation that needs to be dealt with immediately.A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a type leukemia at a five-fold higher rate than the average. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.