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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?<br /><br />For decades, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to remove creosote in the underground air at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the latest tests show that the contamination could still be affecting people who live nearby.<br /><br />Researchers say it may be due to higher cancer rates in the area. Two years after the launch of a state-wide health investigation and a study by researchers, they found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the vicinity of the Union Pacific site.<br /><br />Creosote<br /><br />Creosote is a popular chemical used in the treatment of wood is also a popular one. [https://k12.instructure.com/eportfolios/387104/Home/10_Factors_To_Know_About_Lung_Cancer_Lawsuit_Settlements_You_Didnt_Learn_At_School Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts] is also a harmful substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.<br /><br />It is a dense oily substance, from amber to black in color. [https://penzu.com/p/8301f699 Railroad Workers] has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years to preserve wood.<br /><br />In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other types of wood, including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It can also be used for protecting log houses and other structures from the effects of rot and insect invasion.<br /><br />According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is a potentially dangerous chemical. Short-term exposure can cause irritation to the skin and eyes, chemical burns stomach discomfort and burning of the mouth or throat, and kidney or liver problems.<br /><br />Exposure for long periods can lead to skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.<br /><br />It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen, according to the EPA. It has been linked with many types of cancer that include esophageal aswell as lung cancer.<br /><br />Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote over the years due 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 throughout the underground.<br /><br />Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test regularly for contamination , and take measures to prevent the spread of the disease.<br /><br />In October 2017, a group comprised of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote contaminated their soil and caused significant health issues as a result of the former rail yard.<br /><br />They are seeking compensation from the railroad to cover the costs of cleaning up and other related costs. [https://ctxt.io/2/AACQrW_KEg Cancer Lawsuits] claim they've been harmed by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that have affected them and their families.<br /><br />Dioxin<br /><br />Dioxins are substances that do not degrade quickly in the environment, and can remain in the air, water, soil or sediment for a long period of time. They are found in a variety places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration as well as hazardous waste.<br /><br />Although the health effects of dioxin in low concentrations aren't well-studied yet, there is evidence suggesting that they could cause serious illnesses like cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune problems, and endocrine problems, including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to hormonal issues, suppressed immunity and diabetes, menstrual issues and weight loss.<br /><br />According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most frequent way people are exposed to dioxin is through food or drinking water. They are not water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products or fish and other seafood.<br /><br />It is important to remember, however, that exposure to dioxins could be detrimental to your health based on a variety of aspects, such as the amount you consume, drink, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also crucial to consider your gender, age, diet, nutritional status and family traits along with other factors in your health that could determine whether you'll be affected by dioxins or not.<br /><br />The type of contaminant is crucial. According to the EPA certain toxins are more dangerous than others for the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, are more likely than creosote to affect your health.<br /><br />For instance, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also affect the immune system and cause problems with the development of healthy teeth, bones, and bones.<br /><br />Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about a cluster of cancers that have been caused by the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is situated next to their homes. The city's health department said on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples from the rail yard. The announcement said that the findings were not encouraging. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter, and said a plan that he submitted to Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient in light of the findings.<br /><br />Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)<br /><br />PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in consumer and industrial products. After they were proven to cause cancer and weaken the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.<br /><br />PCBs can cause contamination of soil or water as well as air in many parts of the world once they are released into the environment. They are strong binding agents of organic matter that can be easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.<br /><br />In the end, PCBs are a major issue for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA considers them a probable human carcinogen and has proved that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.<br /><br />Furthermore certain studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is especially applicable to children who have been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.<br /><br />PCBs are mainly consumed through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs, fish is the main source of exposure. However, PCBs can also found in dairy products, beef, and other agricultural products.<br /><br />Another way to be 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 occur in electrical and other equipment.<br /><br />People are also exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or skin contact. These chemicals can cause the condition known as chloracne which is a small, pale, yellow skin lesions that can be present for a period of weeks or years.<br /><br />However the effects of PCBs on human health are not yet fully comprehended. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and the biliary tract cancers among humans, but further studies are needed to determine how this affects us.<br /><br />EPA is also investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects for newborns, including less weight at birth. 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 born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights , and/or a later age.<br /><br />Lead<br /><br />Lead is a highly toxic metal that can be found in many products including paints, pipes and food containers. It can be absorbed by the body through two main routes: respiratory and oral.<br /><br />It is a strong antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals found in the environment. It can accumulate within the body and can lead to serious health issues, such as cancer and other diseases.<br /><br />Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility are at risk of cancer. The city has asked the federal government to instruct the railroad to clean the site that is contaminated.<br /><br />Union Pacific Railroad has a past history of contaminated its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. [https://cinemastar27.doodlekit.com/blog/entry/25414400/whats-holding-back-in-the-cancer-lawsuit-settlements-industry Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts] has been working to eliminate the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents say.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The plume of groundwater below homes in the affected area is among the most grave effects of the contamination. A recent study by health officials has shown that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain an increased amount of creosote than what is required for drinking water.<br /><br />Another reason to be concerned is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. It can cause residents to breathe harmful levels of vapors which could cause death for children as well as adults.<br /><br />It is also possible that gases are causing cancers in the residents who are breathing the vapors. A door-to door health survey is being conducted in the neighborhood to discover more about how the vapors affect the lives of the residents.<br /><br />This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation that needs to be addressed immediately.<br /><br />A Department of State Health Services study found that the rate of leukemia was five times higher for children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was anticipated. The study also found that adult cancers were more prevalent in the neighborhood than elsewhere in Texas.<br /><br />