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 the underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. The latest tests have revealed that the contamination may continue to affect those who live near.Researchers believe it could be due to the high incidence of cancers in the area. Two years after the launch of an all-state health investigation Researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote is a common chemical used in the treatment of wood. It can also cause cancer in those who are exposed to it.It is a heavy oily substance that ranges from amber to black in color. It has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. It is a coal tar distillation product and has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preservative.In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other kinds of wood including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It can also be used to protect log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote, according to the EPA, is an extremely dangerous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause irritation to the skin and eyes, chemical burns stomach discomfort burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver problems.Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious issue for those who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.According to the EPA It is a possible human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a range kinds of cancers including esophageal as well as lung cancer.Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years due to a former rail yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes and continues to spread underground.Harris County and Houston have joined forces to fight Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination and take steps to prevent it from spreading.In October of 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating the soil under their homes and causing serious health issues.They are seeking compensation for their illnesses and suffering and also damages from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other related costs. They claim that they have been victimized by environmental racism and discrimination and other kinds of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends.DioxinDioxins are chemicals which don't break down in environment quickly . They can be left in the air, in the soil, or sediment for a lengthy period. They can be found in a variety places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarettes, and incineration or hazardous waste.Although the effects of dioxin on health in low concentrations aren't well-studied yet, there is evidence suggesting that they can trigger serious illnesses such as cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher are linked to a higher risk for organ cancers, heart disease immune issues, and endocrine disorders, including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a suppressed immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts called chloracne.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way that people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking water or food. They aren't volatile nor water-soluble, so they are easily absorbed by the body through the consumption of dairy products, meat as well as fish and other seafood.It is vital to remember that exposure to dioxins could affect your health, based on numerous factors , including how much you drink, eat and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also important to consider your age, gender and diet, nutritional status and family traits, as well as other health factors that can influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.The type of contaminant is crucial. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging impact on health than others. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys, and liver. They also can harm the immune system and cause issues with the growth of healthy bones, teeth, and bones.Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for a long time about cluster cancer deaths that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right close to their homes. The city's health department reported on Friday that it found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The release 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 toxic chemicals that have been used in industrial and household products for more than 60 years. After being shown to cause cancer and weaken the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.PCBs can contaminate soil or water as well as air in many regions of the world after they are released into the environment. They bind tightly to organic matter and are generally persistent and therefore, are easy to transport and accumulate in the environment.Therefore, PCBs constitute a major risk for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA and have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially true for children exposed to these chemicals while pregnant.PCBs are most commonly ingested through food. Fish is the primary source of exposure, as they contain the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.Another way to get exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is contaminated with PCBs. This can result from spills or leaks that may occur in electrical and other equipment.Similar to this, people may be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or through their skin. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as chloracne which is a tiny, pale yellow skin lesions which can last from weeks to years.However the effects of PCBs on human health aren't completely known. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers among humans, but further research is needed to find out what this means for us.The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals might cause birth defects in newborns. Low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular diseases. Two studies found that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or an earlier age.LeadLead is a poisonous metal and is present in a wide range of products, including paints, pipes and food cans. The body can absorb it through two routes: oral and respiratory.It is a powerful antioxidant and can react with other chemicals found in the environment. This can lead to its accumulation within the body. This can cause serious health issues such as cancer and other ailments.In Houston, people who live near a legacy creosote treatment facility run by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked for assistance from the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's contamination site.The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, like creosote. The company has tried to get rid of the mess, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents claim.The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is among the most dangerous consequences of the contamination. Union Pacific Cancer Cluster by health officials has shown that soil samples from the rail yard contain higher levels of creosote than what is required for drinking water.Another major concern is that creosote is slowly disappearing into the air. It is causing residents to inhale harmful levels of vapors which could be fatal for both children as well as adults.It is also possible that gases are causing cancers in the residents who breathe them in. A door-to-door health survey is currently being conducted in the area to find out 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 very tragic situation that must be dealt with 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 expected. Railroad Workers And Cancer found that adult cancers were more prevalent in these areas than in other areas of Texas.