Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits. Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in!Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?<br /><br />Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasnβt taken the necessary steps to clean the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. The latest tests show that the contamination could still be affecting those who live near.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Researchers say it may be due to higher cancer rates in the area. Two years after the launch of an investigation across the state on health Researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult pelvis and kidney cancers in the area surrounding the Union Pacific site.<br /><br />Creosote<br /><br />Creosote is a common chemical used to treat wood. It can also cause cancer in people exposed to it.<br /><br />It is a thick, oily substance that is black or amber-colored and has a smoky odor and burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for over 150 years to preserve wood.<br /><br />It is utilized in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, such as fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to protect log homes and other structures from insect infestation.<br /><br />According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote is an extremely dangerous chemical. The exposure to creosote over short periods of time can cause irritation to the eyes and skin chemical burns, stomach discomfort, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney issues and even permanent damage.<br /><br />Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum tumors. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.<br /><br />According to the EPA it is a known human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked with a variety of cancers of various types, including esophageal and lung cancer.<br /><br />Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote, because of a former railroad yard near their homes. They claim that the chemical has contaminated their homes, soil and continues to spread underground.<br /><br />Harris County and Houston have joined the effort against Union Pacific in federal court. They are demanding that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and implement preventative measures to prevent it from spreading.<br /><br />A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote emitted from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes and causing serious health problems.<br /><br />They are seeking damages from the railroad to help cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim that they have been suffering from environmental racism and discrimination, and other types of pollution that have adversely affected their families and friends.<br /><br />Dioxin<br /><br />Dioxins are substances that don't break down in the environment quickly . They can be left in the air, soil or sediment for long periods. They are found in many places in natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration and hazardous waste.<br /><br />Although the effects of dioxin on health in low concentrations aren't identified but there is evidence that they can trigger serious illnesses like cancer. Dioxin levels that are higher have been linked to increased risk for heart disease, organ cancers immune issues, and endocrine problems, including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts, known as chloracne.<br /><br />According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most common way people are exposed to the toxins is through food and water. They aren't liquid or volatile, which means they are more likely to be absorbed into the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish or other seafood.<br /><br />However, it is crucial to remember that the amount of exposure that has detrimental effects on your health will depend on several factors, such as the amount of food you consume or drink, the frequency you drink or eat, and how much you breathe. It is also crucial to consider your age, gender as well as your diet, nutritional status and family traits along with other factors in your health that could affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.<br /><br />In addition, the form of contaminant can be an important factor. According to the EPA certain toxins are more harmful than others for the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs are more likely than creosote affect your health.<br /><br />PCBs can cause damage to eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They also can harm the immune system and cause issues in the development of healthy bones, teeth and bones.<br /><br />For a long time, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a cluster of cancer deaths that have been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their communities. The city's health department announced Friday that it has found cancer-causing chemicals in surface samples around the rail yard. The announcement said 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 plan submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.<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 industrial and consumer products. After being found to cause cancer and suppress the immune system These chemicals were banned in 1979.<br /><br />When released into the environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water across the world. They are strong binders for organic matter that can be easily transported and accumulated into the environment.<br /><br />PCBs are a major issue for the protection of the environment and public health. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen and has shown that they can cause cancer in lab animals.<br /><br />Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children who've been exposed to these chemicals in the womb.<br /><br />PCBs are most commonly consumed through food. Because they are the highest in PCBs fish is the primary source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.<br /><br /> [https://www.joshuaclark.top/how-union-pacific-lawsuit-settlements-has-become-the-most-sought-after-trend-of-2023/ Railroad Workers Cancer] to be exposed PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is polluted with PCBs. This can be caused by leaks or spills from electrical or other equipment.<br /><br />Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing the air or by touching the skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as Chloracne. This is a tiny, pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last for weeks to years.<br /><br />The effects of PCBs upon the human body are not fully known. Some researchers have suggested they may cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, however more research is needed to find out how this impacts us.<br /><br />The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals may cause birth defects in newborns. A low birth weight has been linked with insulin resistance or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. Two studies revealed that children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or later in life.<br /><br />Lead<br /><br />Lead is a poisonous metal and can be found in a wide range of products, including paints, pipes, and food cans. It can be absorbed by the body through two major routes: respiratory and oral.<br /><br />It is an extremely antioxidant and is prone to react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It is able to accumulate within the body, which could lead to serious health problems like cancer and other illnesses.<br /><br />In Houston residents living close to a creosote-based treatment plant owned by Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the assistance of the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's contamination site.<br /><br />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 to humans, including creosote. Residents have claimed that the company has been trying to clean up contamination but the plan that was submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.<br /><br />One of the most significant problems that stemmed due to the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the area. A recent study conducted by health officials has found that soil samples from the rail yard have a higher concentration of creosote than that recommended for drinking water.<br /><br />Another major concern is that the creosote is slowly escaping into the air. It is causing 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 assessment is being carried out in the neighborhood to learn more about the effects of the vapors on the residents' lives.<br /><br />This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very tragic situation that must 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 common in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.<br /><br /> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Disgaea Wiki may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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