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Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?

Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn't done enough to clean the underground plume that was contaminated with rail yard. And now, the latest tests show the contamination could continue to affect those who live near.

Researchers believe it could be due to the high number of cancers in the region. Two years into a state health investigation and they found higher than expected rates of childhood leukemia as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

Creosote is a chemical commonly employed in the treatment of wood. It is also a cause of cancer in those exposed to it.

It is a dense oily substance, from amber to black in color. It has a smoky smell and a burnt taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for over 150 years to preserve wood.

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 to protect log homes and other structures from rot and insect infestation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creosote can be a potentially dangerous chemical. In short-term exposure, it can cause skin and eye irritation, chemical burns, stomach discomfort and burning of the throat or mouth, and kidney or liver issues.

Long-term exposure may cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a major concern for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or in other manufacturing processes.

It is thought to be a probable human carcinogen, according to the EPA. It has been linked with a variety kinds of cancers including esophageal and lung cancer.

Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote thanks to a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated and continues to spread throughout the underground.

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the campaign to sue Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test for contamination on a regular basis and take preventative measures to prevent the spread.

A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes and is causing significant health issues.

Railroad Cancer are seeking damages from the railroad to pay the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit claim to be affected by environmental racism and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals that don't break down quickly in the environment, and they can stay in the soil, air, water or sediment for an extended time. They can be found in a variety of places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarettes and incineration and hazardous waste.

The effects of dioxin on health are not clear at low levels, but there is evidence that suggests they can cause cancer and other serious diseases. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked with an increased risk for organ cancers, heart disease immune disorders, and endocrine issues, such as hormonal imbalances. They can also cause reproductive issues, a weak immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes, hair loss, weight loss and facial cysts, known as chloracne.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the most frequent way that people are exposed to the toxins is through water and food. 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.

However, it is crucial to remember that the amount of exposure that can have detrimental effects on your health depends on various factors, including the amount of food you consume or drink, how often you eat or drink and how much you breathe. You should also consider your gender and age, your diet, and family traits to determine if your family will be exposed to dioxins.

The type of contaminant crucial. According to the EPA there are some toxins that are more dangerous than others to the health of humans. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.





PCBs can cause damage to eyes and kidneys, liver, and kidneys. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit can also damage the immune system of a person 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 connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is located next to their homes. The announcement on Friday by the city's health department claimed that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. The release said the results were not a good sign. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan proposed by Texas environmental regulators won't be sufficient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for more than 60 years. PCBs were banned in 1979 following being proven to cause cancer, suppress the immune system and inhibit learning.

PCBs can be harmful to soil or water as well as air in many parts of the globe once they are released into the environment. They are powerful binders of organic matter and can be easily transported and accumulated in the environment.

In the end, PCBs are a major issue for the protection of health and safety of people and the environment. The EPA is adamant that they are a human carcinogen , and has demonstrated that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

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

PCBs are mainly consumed through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs fish is the most significant source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be present in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Drinking and showering with PCB-contaminated water is another way to be exposed. This can be caused by leaks or spills that could be caused by electrical or other equipment.

Additionally, people can be exposed to PCBs through breathing air or by touching the skin. These chemicals can trigger a condition called Chloracne. This is a tiny pale, yellow-colored lesions that may last for weeks or even years.

However, Railroad Cancer Lawyer of PCBs on human health are not yet completely comprehended. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However it is necessary to conduct more research to determine how this affects us.

EPA is also studying whether these chemicals could cause birth defects for newborns, including low birth weight. Low birth weight has been associated with Type II diabetes, insulin resistance and high blood pressure and later-life cardiovascular disease. Two studies showed that children born with higher levels PCBs in their cord blood were born with lower birth weights and/or older.

Lead

Lead is a toxic metal and is found in many products, including paints, pipes and food cans. The body absorbs it through two main routes: oral and respiratory.

It is a strong oxidizing agent and tends to react with other chemicals in the surrounding. It is able to accumulate within the body and can lead to serious health issues like cancer and other ailments.

Houston residents who live near the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote facility have a high incidence of cancer. The city has requested the assistance of the federal government in cleaning up the railroad's contamination site.

Union Pacific Railroad has a long history of having been a source of contamination for its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that could cause cancer. The railroad has been trying to remove the contamination, but a plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn't enough residents believe.

One of the most significant problems that stemmed from the contamination was the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the area. A recent study conducted by the health department has shown that the amount of creosote that is present in soil samples near the rail yard is higher than the recommended levels for drinking water.

Another cause for concern is the gradual release of creosote in the air. As it is, it is causing residents to breathe in dangerous levels of vapors which are harmful for children as well as adults.

It is also possible that the fumes are causing cancers to the people who breathe them in. To find out Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit 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 tragic situation and must be resolved immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study found that the rate of leukemia was five times higher in children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhoods than they were elsewhere in Texas.