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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 remove creosote-laden creosote plume that was at its rail yard that is contaminated. And now, the latest tests show that the contamination could still be affecting those who live near.

Researchers believe it could be due to the high incidence of cancers in the area. Two years after launching an investigation into health issues across the state, researchers found that there were higher than anticipated rates of childhood lymphoblastic and adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a chemical commonly that is used in the treatment of wood. It is also a toxic substance and can cause cancers when exposed to it.

It is a heavy oily substance that's black or amber in color and has a smoky scent and a burnt taste. It is a distillation of coal product that has been used for more than 150 years to preserve wood.

It is widely used in the United States to treat railroad ties, as well as other types of woods, including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used to safeguard log homes and other structures from insect infestation.





According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Creosote, according to the EPA, is an extremely dangerous chemical. In the event of exposure to creosote for a short periods can cause irritation to the eyes and skin, chemical burns, stomach pains, burning of the mouth or throat, kidney or liver problems and even permanent damage.

Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. Workers who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes are susceptible to cancer.

According to the EPA It is a probable human cancer-causing agent. It has been linked to a number kinds of cancers such as esophageal or lung cancer.

Residents of Houston's Fifth Ward neighborhood have been exposed to creosote for decades, thanks to the former rail yard that was located near their homes. The chemical is said to have affected their homes and soil, and it continues to spread underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the initiative to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test regularly for contamination , and take measures to stop the spread of the disease.

Cancer Lawsuit Settlements of Fifth Ward neighbors filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They claim that creosote was a source of contamination in their soil and caused major health issues from the former rail yard.

They are seeking compensation from the railroad to help cover the costs of cleanup and other related costs. They claim to have suffered the effects of environmental racism, discrimination, and other types of pollution that has affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals that do not degrade quickly in the environment, and they can stay in the air, water, soil or sediment for a lengthy period of. They can be found in a variety places that include natural disasters, industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration and hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin are not known at low levels, but there is evidence to suggest that they can cause cancer and other serious illnesses. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune-related issues and endocrine disorders, like hormonal imbalances. They can also trigger reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, diabetes and menstrual issues weight loss, hair growth and facial cysts, known as chloracne.

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 volatile and water-soluble, so they are easily absorbed by the body through the intake of meat, dairy products such as fish, as well as other seafood.

It is important to remember that exposure to dioxins could affect your health based on a variety of aspects, such as the amount you eat, drink, and the frequency with which you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, your diet, and family characteristics to determine whether you will be exposed to dioxins.

Additionally, Railroad Cancer Lawsuit of contaminant is another important factor. The EPA says that some toxins are more likely to have a damaging effect on the human body than others. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs, are more likely than creosote negatively impact your health.

PCBs can cause damage to the eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. They can also damage a person's immune system and hinder the growth of healthy teeth and bones.

Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years of cluster of cancer deaths that are that are linked to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is next to their homes. The city's health department announced on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The announcement said that the results were not encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he plans on suing Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators won't suffice.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenyls, are toxic chemicals that have been used for more than 60 years in industrial and consumer products. After being proven to cause cancer and to suppress the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.

PCBs can infect soil and water as well as air in many regions around the globe after they are released into the environment. Railroad Cancer are strong binding agents of organic matter, and are easily transported and accumulated into the environment.

PCBs are a major issue to protect the environment and public health. The EPA considers them to be a possible human carcinogen and has shown that they can cause cancer in laboratory animals.

Furthermore certain studies have found a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children exposed these chemicals in the womb.

The main route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Because they are the highest in PCBs, fish is the main source of exposure. But, PCBs can also be found in dairy and beef and other agricultural products.

Another way to get exposed to PCBs is by drinking or showering with water that is affected by PCBs. This could be the result of leaks or spills from electrical equipment and other.

People may also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can cause a condition called chloracne, which is a small, pale yellow skin lesions which can be present for a period of weeks or years.

The effects of PCBs upon human health are not fully known. Some researchers have suggested they could cause liver or biliary tract cancer in humans, but further studies are needed to discover the extent to which this impacts us.

The EPA is also studying whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborn babies. Low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular disease. Two studies have shown that children with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower birth weights or a later age.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal and is found in many products, including pipes, paints and food containers. It is absorbed into the body via two main routes: respiratory and oral.

It is a strong antioxidant and can react with other chemicals found in the environment. This could cause it to build up in the body , and could cause serious health issues like cancer and other diseases.

Houston residents who reside near the Union Pacific Railroad's legacy creosote plant have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to direct the railroad to clean up its contaminated site.

The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of polluting its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with carcinogenic chemicals to humans, such as creosote. Residents have claimed that the company has been working to eliminate the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.

The groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the affected area is among the most serious consequences of the contamination. A recent study by the health department has revealed that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples from the rail yard is higher than the recommended level for drinking water.

Another issue is the slow release of creosote in the air. It is causing residents to inhale toxic levels of vapors, which could cause death for both children and adults.

It is also possible that particles are causing cancers among the residents who are breathing them in. To find out more about the impact of the vapors in the lives of residents there is a door-to door survey being done in the neighborhood.

This is a serious problem for the Fifth Ward communities and Kashmere Gardens. This is a very tragic situation that needs to be addressed immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study discovered 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 revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.