Revision as of 03:07, 12 April 2023 by 78.157.213.58 (talk)(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?Houston's Fifth Ward neighbors have complained for decades that the company hasn't taken the necessary steps to clean the plume of underground pollution that has contaminated the rail yard. The latest tests have demonstrated that the contamination may be in the vicinity of residents.Researchers believe that it could be due to the large number of cancers in the region. Two years after the launch of a state-wide health investigation, researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in areas around the Union Pacific site.CreosoteCreosote, a chemical commonly used to treat wood is also a popular one. It is also a cause of cancer in those exposed to it.It is a dense oily substance, amber to black in color. It has a smokey smell and a bitter taste. It is a distillation of coal product and has been used for more than 150 years as an ingredient in wood preservative.It is employed in the United States to treat railroad tieways, as well as other kinds of woods like fence posts, utility poles, and pilings for marine structures. It can also be used to protect log homes and other structures from insect infestation.The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says creosote is a risky chemical. Exposure to it for short periods can cause skin and eye irritation as well as chemical burns, stomach pain and burning in the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems.Long-term exposure can lead to skin and scrotum tumors. Workers who come in direct contact with it during wood treatment and other manufacturing processes are at risk.It is regarded as a possible human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked with many types of cancer such as esophageal cancer as well as lung cancer.Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for a long time to creosote due to a former railroad yard right next to their homes. They claim that the chemical has affected their soil, homes, and 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 for contamination on a regular basis and implement preventative measures to prevent it from spreading.In October 2017 the group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. They claim that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes and is causing significant health problems.They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering, as well as damages from the railroad for the cost of cleaning and other costs. They claim that they have been suffering from environmental racism and discrimination, as well as other forms of pollution that have affected them and their families.DioxinDioxins are a class of chemicals that don't break down in the environment in a timely manner and can stay in the air, water soil, or sediment for a long time. They can be derived from diverse sources, such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.Although the effects of dioxin on health in low concentrations aren't well-studied yet, there is evidence suggesting that they can cause serious illnesses , such as cancer. The people who are exposed to higher levels have been found to have an increased risk of heart disease, organ cancers, immune system disorders and endocrine issues like hormonal imbalances. They can also cause hormonal issues, suppressed immunity womenstrual issues, diabetes and weight loss.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency the most common method people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking water or food. Cancer Lawsuit Settlements nor water-soluble so they are more easily absorbable by the body via the consumption of meat, dairy products fish, and other seafood.It is crucial to keep in mind that exposure to dioxins could be detrimental to your health based on a variety of factors , including how much you drink, eat and the frequency you breathe. It is also important to consider your gender, age and nutrition status, as well as diet and family characteristics in addition to other health factors that may affect whether you are affected by dioxins or not.The kind of contaminant is also crucial. According to the EPA, some toxins are more harmful than others for the health of humans. Polychlorinated biphenyls, also known as PCBs are more likely than creosote have a negative effect on your health.For example, PCBs can damage a person's eyes, kidneys and liver. They can also harm the immune system and cause issues in the development of healthy bones, teeth and bones.Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden neighbors have complained for years about cluster of cancer deaths connected to the Union Pacific rail yard. The yard is right close to their homes. The city's health department announced on Friday that it found cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The release said the results were not a good sign. Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to take legal action against Union Pacific over the matter and said that a proposal that he has submitted to Texas environmental regulators isn't sufficient in light of the findings.Polychlorinated BiphenylsPolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been used in consumer and industrial products for more than 60 years. These chemicals were banned in 1979 following they were found to cause cancer, suppress the immune system, and impair learning.PCBs can be harmful to soil or water as well as air in many parts around the globe after they are released into the environment. They are strong binding agents of organic matter and can be easily transported and then accumulated in the environment.PCBs are a major issue to protect the environment and public health. They are regarded as a possible human carcinogen by EPA, and have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals.In addition, some 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 while in the womb.The primary route of exposure to PCBs is through food items. Fish are the primary source of exposure since they contain the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also found in beef, dairy products and other agricultural products.Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This could be the result of leaks or spillages in electrical equipment and other.People can also be exposed to PCBs through breathing in air or by skin contact. These chemicals can cause the condition known as chloracne which is a mild, small yellow skin lesions that can last for weeks or even years.The effects of PCBs on human health are not fully understood. Researchers have suggested that they may cause biliary and liver cancers in humans. However it is necessary to conduct more research to understand how this affects us.EPA has also been investigating whether these chemicals cause birth defects in newborns, including lower birth weight. The low birth weight of newborns has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and later-life cardiovascular disease. 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 poisonous metal and can be found in a wide range of products, including paints, pipes and food cans. It is absorbed by the body through two main pathways: oral and respiratory.It is an extremely oxidizing chemical and can react with other chemicals in your surroundings. It can build up in the body, which can lead to serious health issues like cancer and other illnesses.Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote legacy plant have a high incidence of cancer. The city has asked the federal government for an order to the railroad to remove the site that is contaminated.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. Residents say that the company has been trying to eliminate the contamination, but the plan submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not sufficient.One of the most important problems that stemmed from the contamination is the groundwater plume that runs beneath the homes in the region. A recent study by health officials has revealed that soil samples taken from the rail yard contain an increased amount of creosote than what is required for drinking water.Another cause for concern is the slow evaporation of creosote from the atmosphere. It causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which can be fatal for children and adults.It is possible that the vapors cause cancer in people who inhale them. To find out more about the effects of the vapors' effects on the lives of residents the neighborhood, a door-to-door survey being conducted in the neighborhood.This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. Railroad Cancer is a very sad situation that must be addressed immediately.A Department of State Health Services study found that the rate of leukemia was five times higher for children living in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods than what was expected. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit revealed that adult cancers were more common in the neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.