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 clean up creosote in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. Now, the most recent tests show the contamination could still be affecting people who live nearby.Researchers say it may be linked to the increased cancer rates in the area. Two years after launching an all-state health investigation Researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote, a common chemical used to treat wood, is also a common one. It is also a poisonous substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.It is a dense oily substance that's black or amber-colored and has a smoky odor and burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.It is employed in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods, such as fence posts, utility poles, as well as pilings for marine structures. It can also be used for protecting log homes and other structures against decay and insect infestation.According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is an extremely dangerous chemical. A short-term exposure could cause eye and skin irritation chemical burns stomach pain, burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver problems.Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum cancers. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.According to the EPA the EPA, it is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to many types of cancer such as esophageal cancer as well as lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote due to a former railroad yard right next to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes and is spreading underground.Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. Railroad Cancer Lawyer would like the company to test regularly for contamination and take measures to prevent it from spreading.A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote had contaminated their soil and caused major health issues as a result of the former rail yard.They are seeking compensation from the railroad to pay the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. They claim they have been affected by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.DioxinDioxins are chemicals which don't break down in the environment quickly , and can remain in the air, in the soil, or sediment for long periods. They are found in a variety of places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarette smoke, and incineration or hazardous waste.Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels aren't yet known but there is evidence that they can cause serious illnesses , such as cancer. Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit that are higher have been linked to increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune-related issues and endocrine disorders, including hormonal imbalances. They can also cause problems with hormones, immune suppression and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most popular way people are exposed to the toxins is through food and water. They are not liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of dairy products or fish and other seafood.It is important to remember, however, that exposure to chemicals can cause harm to your health based on a variety of factors such as how much 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 if you will be exposed to dioxins.Furthermore, the kind of contaminant is another important factor. According to the EPA the EPA, certain toxins are more harmful than others to human health. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental effect on your health than creosote.PCBs can cause damage to eyes, liver, kidneys, and kidneys. They also can harm the immune system and cause problems in the development of healthy teeth, bones, and bones.For years, residents in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a string of cancer deaths that have been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, that is right next to their neighborhoods. The city's health department reported on Friday that it found cancer-causing chemical compounds in surface samples near the rail yard. The release noted that the results were not encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to sue Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal submitted to Texas environmental regulators won't be adequate given the findings.Polychlorinated BiphenylsPCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. After they were proven to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system PCBs were banned in 1979.PCBs can be harmful to soil and water as well as air in many regions of the world once they are released into the environment. They bind strongly to organic matter and are often persistent, meaning they are relatively simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.This is why 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 proven to cause cancer in laboratory animals.Certain studies also link PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during pregnancy.The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs Fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef, and other agricultural products.Drinking and showering with PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This can be caused by leaks or spills that occur in electrical or other equipment.People are also exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or skin contact. These chemicals can trigger the condition known as chloracne which is a tiny, pale, yellow skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.The effects of PCBs upon human health are still not completely comprehended. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers in humans, however more research is needed to find out the extent to which this impacts us.EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborns, such as less weight at birth. The low birth weight of newborns is associated with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. 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 can be found in a wide range of products, including paints, pipes and food containers. The body absorbs it through two major routes: the respiratory and oral.It is a strong chemical that oxidizes and reacts with other chemicals in your environment. This could cause it to build up in the body , and could lead to serious health problems like cancer and other ailments.Houston residents who reside near the Union Pac Railroad's creosote facility are at risk of cancer. The city has requested the assistance of the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated facility.The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of polluting 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 remove the mess, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough, residents say.The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is among the most severe effects of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has shown that soil samples taken from the rail yard have more creosote than what is required for drinking water.Another reason to be concerned is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. It can cause residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors which could cause death for both children and adults.It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in those who breathe them. A door-to-door health assessment is being carried out in the neighborhood to learn more about how the vapors impact the lives of residents. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation and must be addressed immediately.A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher among children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens areas than was expected. The study also found that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.