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 remove creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its rail yard that is contaminated. The most recent tests have shown that contamination could still be an issue for residents living nearby.Researchers believe it's due to the high incidence of cancers that are found in the area. Two years into a state health investigation they discovered higher than expected levels of childhood lymphoblastic leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in neighborhoods surrounding the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote is one of the most common chemicals used in the treatment of wood. It is also a poisonous substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.It is a thick oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smokey scent and a bitter taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties and other kinds of wood including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also employed to protect log homes and other structures from insect infestation.According to Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote, according to the EPA, is a potentially dangerous chemical. Exposure to creosote for brief periods may cause irritation to the eyes and skin as well as chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems, and even permanent damage.Long-term exposure can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.According to the EPA It is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a range kinds of cancers including esophageal and lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote due to a railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes, soil and continues to spread underground.The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They want the company to test for contamination on a regular basis and adopt preventative measures to stop the spread.In October of 2017 a group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil and caused major health issues from the former rail yard.They are seeking compensation from the railroad to cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim to have suffered the effects of environmental racism and discrimination as well as other types of pollution that has affected their families and themselves. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements are a class of chemicals that do not break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, in the soil or sediment for long periods. They can be found in many places in natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke, and incineration or hazardous waste.Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels are not yet known, there is evidence that they can cause serious illnesses like cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune disorders, and endocrine problems, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues as well as hair growth, weight loss and facial cysts known as chloracne.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 water-soluble or volatile, therefore they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish, and other seafood.It is vital to remember that exposure to dioxins can have a detrimental effect on your health, depending on many aspects, such as the amount you drink, eat and how often you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender, age, nutrition, and family traits to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.Additionally, the type of contaminant is also an important factor. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to cause harm effect on the human body than others. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote to negatively impact your health.For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They can also affect the immune system and cause issues with the growth of healthy teeth, bones and bones.Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster of cancer deaths that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located next to their homes. The city's health department reported on Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The release stated that the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he plans to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan presented to Texas environmental regulators isn't sufficient in light of the findings.Polychlorinated BiphenylsPCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. These substances were banned in 1979 after being found to cause cancer, weaken the immune system, and hinder learning.PCBs can infect soil and water as well as air in many parts around the globe after they are released into the environment. They are strong binding agents of organic matter, and are easily transported and accumulated into the environment.PCBs are a major problem for the protection of the environment and public health. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.Some studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially true for children who have been exposed to these chemicals during the pregnancy.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 dairy products, beef and other agricultural products.Another way to be exposed PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is infected with PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spills that occur in electrical and other equipment.In the same way, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as chloracne which is small, pale skin lesions that can last from weeks to years.However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not fully known. Some researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, but more studies are needed to discover the extent to which this impacts us.The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance as well as high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies found that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights and/or later in life.LeadLead is a highly toxic metal that is found in many products like paints, pipes and food cans. It is absorbed into the body through two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.It is an extremely oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals in the environment. It is able to accumulate within the body, which could cause serious health issues, such as cancer and other diseases.Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote facility are at a high risk of cancer. The city has requested the federal government for an order to the railroad to clean its toxic site.Union Pacific Railroad has a history in which it has 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 eliminate the mess, but the plan presented 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 groundwater plume beneath homes in the area. A recent study conducted by the department of health shows that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples near the rail yard is more than the level recommended for drinking water.Another cause for concern is the slow evaporation of creosote from the atmosphere. It is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors which are toxic for both children and adults. Railroad Cancer Lawyer is also possible that the gases are causing cancers in the people who breathe them in. A door-to-door health survey is currently being carried out in the neighborhood to understand how the vapors are impacting the lives of the residents.This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a very sad situation that must be addressed as soon as possible.A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services found that children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a type leukemia at a five-fold more frequently than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than in other areas of Texas.