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 an underground plume of creosote at its rail yard that is contaminated. Recent tests have revealed that contamination could still be affecting residents living nearby.Researchers suggest it could be due to higher cancer rates in the area. Two years into a state health investigation, they found higher-than-expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic Leukemia and adult renal and kidney pelvis cancers in the neighborhoods around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote, a common chemical used for the treatment of wood is also a typical one. It can cause cancer in those who are exposed to it.It is a heavy oily substance which is black or amber in appearance and has a smoky scent and a burnt flavor. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods like fence posts and utility poles, and pilings for marine use. It is also employed to protect log homes and other structures from insects and rot infestation.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states creosote is an extremely hazardous chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause irritation to the skin and eyes, chemical burns, stomach pain and burning in the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver issues.Long-term exposure could lead to skin and scrotum cancers. This is a serious concern for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.According to the EPA the EPA, it is a likely human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a variety of different types of cancer including esophageal and lung cancer.Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for a long time, thanks to an old rail yard close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their homes as well as their soil, and it continues to spread underground.The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They are requesting that the company tests regularly for contamination , and take measures to stop the spread of the disease.A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes , causing significant health issues.They are seeking compensation from the railroad in order to cover the cost of cleanup and other related costs. They also claim that they are harmed by environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other forms of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.DioxinDioxins are substances that do not break down quickly in the environment and they can stay in the soil, air, water or sediment for an extended time. They can be derived from many sources, including natural disasters, industrial accidents cigarette smoke and incineration of hazardous waste.The effects of dioxin on health are not known at low levels, but there is evidence that they may cause cancer as well as other serious illnesses. People who are exposed to higher levels of dioxin are found to be at a higher risk of organ cancers, heart disease immune system problems, and endocrine imbalances like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes hair growth, weight loss and facial cysts known as chloracne.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most frequent way that people are exposed dioxin is through food or drinking water. They are not volatile and water-soluble, which means they are more easily taken in by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.However, it is important to keep in mind that the amount of exposure that will have negative effects on your health is contingent upon several factors, such as the amount you eat or drink, the frequency you consume alcohol or food, and how much you breathe. It is also crucial to take into consideration your age, gender as well as your diet, nutritional status and family characteristics and other factors in your health that could 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. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs are more likely than creosote to affect your health.PCBs can cause damage to the eyes, liver, kidneys, and kidneys. They can also affect the immune system of a person, and affect the development of healthy bones and teeth.For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have been complaining about a string of cancer deaths that has been connected to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is located near their communities. The announcement made by the city's health department claimed that it had identified cancer-causing chemicals in samples of the surface near the rail yard. The announcement said 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 said a plan submitted to Texas environmental regulators isn't adequate given the findings.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for more than 60 years. They were banned in 1979 after being proven to cause cancer, inhibit the immune system, and impair learning.When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, water, and soil throughout the world. They bind strongly to organic matter, and tend to remain in the environment for a long time and therefore, are easily transported and accumulated in the environment.PCBs are a major problem to protect the environment and public health. They are considered a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been shown to 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 while in the womb.PCBs are most commonly ingested through food. Fish is the most common source of exposure because they are the source of the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products 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 occur in electrical and other equipment.People may also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or through skin contact. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as chloracne which is a mild, small skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.The effects of PCBs upon human health are still not fully recognized. Researchers have suggested that they could cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However further research is required to better understand how this affects us.The EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects in newborn babies. A low birth weight has been linked with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. 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 toxic metal that can be found in many products, such as paints, pipes, and food cans. The body absorbs it through two main routes: oral and respiratory.It is a powerful chemical that is oxidizing and can react with other chemicals in your environment. It can accumulate within the body and can lead to serious health issues, such as cancer and other illnesses.In Houston residents living near a creosote 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 cleaning up the railroad's contaminated site.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 for humans, such as creosote. railroad strike settlement has been working to clean up the contamination, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents claim.The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is one of the most serious effects of the contamination. A recent study by the health department has revealed that the concentration of creosote present in soil samples in the rail yard is greater than the levels recommended for drinking water.Another issue is the slow evaporation of creosote to the atmosphere. It causes residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors which are harmful to children as well as adults.It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer among those who breathe them. To find out more about the impact of the vapors in the lives of residents an in-depth survey of the residents is being conducted in the neighborhood.This is a serious issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a terribly sad situation that needs to be addressed immediately.A recent study by the Department of State Health Services found that children in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities contracted a form leukemia that was five times higher rate than the average. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhood than they were elsewhere in Texas.