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 an underground plume of creosote at its rail yard that is contaminated. The latest tests have shown that contamination could still be impacting residents living near.Researchers believe it could be due to the high number of cancers in the region. Two years after the launch of an all-state health investigation the researchers discovered that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the area surrounding the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote which is a common chemical used to treat wood is also a typical one. It is also a dangerous substance and can cause cancers in those exposed to it.It is a dense, oily substance that is black or amber in appearance and has a smoky odor and a burnt taste. It 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 and other types of wood, including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It can also be used to protect log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that creosote may be a risky chemical. Exposure to creosote for brief periods may cause irritation to the eyes and skin, chemical burns stomach pains, burning in the throat or mouth and liver or kidney issues and even permanent damage.Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum carcinomas. Railroad Cancer Lawyer who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are at risk.It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen, according to the EPA. It has been linked to a number kinds of cancers such as esophageal or lung cancer.Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades due to an old rail yard close to 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 want the company to test regularly for contamination and to take measures to stop it from spreading.In October of 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused serious health issues from the former rail yard.They are seeking compensation from the railroad to help cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They also claim that they are affected by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that has affected them and their families.DioxinDioxins are a class of chemicals which do not break down quickly in the environment, and can remain in the air, water, soil or sediment for a lengthy time. They are found in a variety of places such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration, as well as hazardous waste.The effects of dioxin on health 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 are found to be at risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system problems and endocrine disorders, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive issues, a weak immune system, menstrual issues and diabetes hair growth, weight loss and facial cysts known as chloracne.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking or eating. They are not volatile and water-soluble, which means they are more easily absorbed by the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products as well as fish and other seafood.It is nevertheless important to be aware that the amount of exposure that will have adverse effects on your health will depend on numerous factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you drink or eat and the amount of air you breathe. It is also important to take into consideration your age, gender and nutrition status, as well as diet and family characteristics in addition to other health factors that may influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.The type of contaminant is also crucial. According to the EPA, some toxins are more dangerous than others to human health. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative impact on your health than creosote.PCBs can cause damage to eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit can also damage the immune system of a person, and affect the development of healthy bones and teeth.Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster of cancer deaths that are that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is close to their homes. The announcement released on Friday by Houston's health department stated that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples near the rail yard. The announcement said that the results were not a good sign. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't suffice.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. PCBs were banned in 1979 after being found to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and hinder learning.Once released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water in many areas of the world. They bind tightly to organic matter and tend to be persistent, meaning they are relatively easy to transport and build up in the environment.PCBs are a significant concern 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.Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially applicable to children who are exposed these chemicals in the womb.The main 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 get exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that has been polluted with PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spills that can be caused by electrical or other equipment.Similarly, people can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through skin. These chemicals can cause a condition called chloracne, which is a mild, small yellow skin lesions which can last from a few weeks to a few years. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit of PCBs upon the human body are not completely recognized. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, but further studies are needed to understand how this impacts us.The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns. The low birth weight of newborns has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular diseases. 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 is found in many products including paints, pipes and food containers. It can be absorbed by the body through two main pathways: the respiratory and oral.It is a powerful antioxidant and can react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It can accumulate within the body, which can lead to serious health issues, such as cancer and other ailments.In Houston, people who live close to a creosote-based treatment plant run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high risk of developing 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 past history of contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The railroad has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but a plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents say.The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is among the most serious consequences of the contamination. A recent study by the health department has shown that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples from the rail yard is more than the levels recommended for drinking water.Another concern is the gradual release of creosote into the atmosphere. It is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors which are dangerous for children and adults.It is also possible that particles are causing cancers among the residents who are breathing the vapors. A door-to-door health survey is currently being carried out in the neighborhood to understand how the vapors affect the residents' lives.This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation and must be taken care of immediately.A recent study conducted by the Department of State Health Services discovered that children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighborhoods contracted a form of leukemia at five times higher rate than expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.