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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 up an underground plume that is contaminated rail yard. Recent tests have revealed that contamination could still be affecting residents living nearby.

Researchers say it may be related to elevated cancer rates in the region. Two years after the launch of a state-wide health investigation the researchers discovered that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic cancer in children as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the area surrounding the Union Pacific site.

Creosote

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

It is a heavy 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 more than 150 years as a wood preserver.

In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other kinds of wood, including fence posts, utility poles, and marine pilings. It is also used for protecting log structures and homes from insects and rot.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that creosote may be a dangerous chemical. The exposure to creosote over brief periods may cause irritation to the eyes and skin and chemical burns stomach pains, burning of the mouth or throat and liver or kidney problems and even permanent damage.

Exposure for long periods can cause skin and scrotum cancers. This is a serious issue for workers who are in direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.

It is believed to be a human carcinogen, as per the EPA. It has been linked to a variety of cancers such as esophageal cancer as well as lung cancer.

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

The cities of Houston and Harris County have joined the lawsuit against Union Pacific in federal court. They demand that the company test frequently for contamination and take steps to prevent it from spreading.

In October of 2017, a group of Fifth Ward neighbors sued Union Pacific. Cancer Lawsuits 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 pay the cost of cleanup as well as other related costs. They also claim that they are affected by environmental racism and discrimination in addition to other types of pollution that have affected their families and themselves.

Dioxin

Dioxins are a class of chemicals that do not degrade quickly in the environment, and they can remain in the air, water, or in sediment for a long period of. They can be found in many places, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, cigarette smoke and incineration as well as hazardous waste.

The health effects of dioxin are unclear at low levels, but there is evidence that suggests they can trigger cancer and other serious illnesses. Patients who are exposed at higher levels of dioxin have been found to be at a higher risk of heart disease, organ cancers immune system problems, and endocrine changes including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a depressed immune system, menstrual and diabetes issues as well as hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts known as chloracne.





According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) the most common way people are exposed is through food and water. They aren't water-soluble or volatile, so they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of dairy products, fish and other seafood.

But it is important to be aware that the amount of exposure that can have a harmful effect on your health depends on various factors, including the amount you eat or drink, how often you drink or eat, and how much you breathe. It is also important to take into account your gender and age, nutritional status, and family traits to determine if you'll be exposed to dioxins.

Railroad Workers of contaminant is also crucial. The EPA declares that certain toxins are more likely to have a damaging effect on the human body than others. For instance, polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a negative effect on your health than creosote.

PCBs can cause damage to the eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also harm the immune system of the person and affect the development of healthy bones and teeth.

For years, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a rash of cancer deaths that have been linked to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their communities. The announcement made by the city's health department said that it had found cancer-causing chemicals in surfaces near the rail yard. The release said that the findings were "not encouraging." Mayor Sylvester Turner told FOX 26 that he's planning to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a plan presented to Texas environmental regulators isn't sufficient in light of the findings.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that have been employed in industrial and consumer products for over 60 years. These chemicals were banned in 1979 following they were found to cause cancer, weaken the immune system and inhibit learning.

Once released into the natural environment, PCBs contaminate air, soil, and water throughout the world. They bind strongly to organic matter, and tend to remain in the environment for a long time and therefore, are simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.

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 proved that they can cause cancer in lab animals.

Additionally, some studies have linked PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly relevant for children who have been exposed to these chemicals while during the pregnancy.

PCBs are most often ingested through food. Since they are the most abundant in PCBs, fish is the main source of exposure. However, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.

Showering or drinking PCB-contaminated water is another method of exposure. This could be due to leaks or spills which could be caused by electrical or other equipment.

People are also exposed to PCBs through breathing in the air or coming into contact with skin. These chemicals can trigger an illness known as Chloracne. It is a small pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that can last for several weeks to several years.

However the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely recognized. Some researchers have suggested that they may cause liver and biliary tract cancer in humans, but more studies are needed to understand what this means for us.

The EPA is also examining whether these chemicals can cause birth defects in newborns. A low birth weight has been linked to Type II diabetes, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in life. 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.

Lead

Lead is a highly toxic metal that can be found in a variety of items, such as paints, pipes and food containers. The body absorbs it through two main routes: the respiratory and oral.

It is a potent chemical that can oxidize and react with other substances in your environment. It can build up in the body, which could lead to serious health problems like cancer and other diseases.

In Houston the residents who live near a creosote legacy treatment plant owned by the Union Pacific Railroad have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested assistance from the federal government in the cleanup of the railroad's contaminated facility.

Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts has a long history of having been a source of contamination for its Fifth Ward rail yard and Kashmere Garden neighborhood with chemicals that can cause cancer. Residents say that the company has been trying to get rid of the pollution, but the plan submitted to Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was not enough.

The plume of groundwater that flows below the homes in the affected area is one of the most severe effects of the contamination. A recent study by the health department has shown that the concentration of creosote found in soil samples in the rail yard is much higher than the levels recommended for drinking water.

Another major concern is that the creosote is slowly dispersing into the air. It causes residents to breathe dangerous levels of vapors, which could cause death for children and adults.

It is possible that the vapors could cause cancer in people who inhale them. To find out more about the effect of the vapors on the lives of residents, a door-to-door survey is being conducted in the neighborhood.

This is a major problem for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. It's a pity and should be addressed immediately.

A Department of State Health Services study discovered that leukemia rates were five times higher in children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens areas than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more prevalent in these neighborhoods than elsewhere in Texas.